Broken promise
Annie Allsebrook
Broken promise
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Annie Allsebrook
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Rain soaks the streets as a child clutches a trembling dog close, both seeking shelter from the cold. Suddenly, footsteps approach—are they friend or foe? The night holds secrets that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the harsh realities faced by children living in dangerous and impoverished environments, highlighting their resilience, bravery, and humor. It candidly addresses difficult topics such as homelessness, animal abuse, and the impact of war, making it suitable for mature readers ages 9-12 who can handle sensitive content. Parents should be aware of scenes involving the death and torture of animals, which are integral to the story's message.
Why we rated Broken promise 11IE
Broken promise is written at a Level 6 reading level across 241 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Broken promise works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Broken promise as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Animal Death, Animal Abuse, Torture.
Thematically, Broken promise explores children and social conditions, homelessness, war impact, resilience, and childhood hardship — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about children and social conditions, homelessness, war impact.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Broken Promise
Eleanor Robins
Broken Promise
Eleanor Robins
Broken
C. J. Lyons
Broken
C. J. Lyons
Promise
Ida Linehan Young
Promise
Ida Linehan Young
A promise is for keeping
Anne Wade
A promise is for keeping
Anne Wade
The Broken Places
Joseph McBride, Michelle Anne Schingler
The Broken Places
Joseph McBride, Michelle Anne Schingler
Charlie's Promise
Annemarie Allan
Charlie's Promise
Annemarie Allan
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0340509066
- Pages
- 241
- Publisher
- Headway, Hodder & Stoughton
- Published
- 1989
- Type
- Nonfiction