Broken Drum (White Mane Kids)
Edith Morris Hemingway
Broken Drum (White Mane Kids)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edith Morris Hemingway
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What would it be like to be just twelve years old and caught in the middle of a huge war? Charley is a drummer boy marching with the Army of the Potomac, facing both thrilling moments and scary dangers as he moves toward the Battle of Antietam. Will he find courage and hope amid the chaos?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the American Civil War, this historical fiction follows twelve-year-old Charley, a drummer boy with the Union Army, as he experiences the realities of war from Washington to Antietam. The novel explores themes of bravery, conflict, and the impact of historical events on young people. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild peril and war-related content appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Broken Drum (White Mane Kids) 10ME
Broken Drum (White Mane Kids) is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Broken Drum (White Mane Kids) works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Broken Drum (White Mane Kids) as 10ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Broken Drum (White Mane Kids) explores historical, coming of age, war & conflict, and courage — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, coming of age, war & conflict.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Mr. Lincoln's drummer
G. Clifton Wisler
Mr. Lincoln's drummer
G. Clifton Wisler
Red Legs
Ted Lewin
Red Legs
Ted Lewin
Drum of Destiny
Chris Stevenson
Drum of Destiny
Chris Stevenson
Brave kids
Susan E. Goodman
Brave kids
Susan E. Goodman
The drummer boy of Vicksburg
G. Clifton Wisler
The drummer boy of Vicksburg
G. Clifton Wisler
The drummer boy
Leon Garfield
The drummer boy
Leon Garfield
Details
- ISBN
- 9780613847346
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- July 1996
- Type
- Fiction