Brooklyn, burning
Steve Brezenoff
Brooklyn, burning
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steve Brezenoff
The text is written at a 6th 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 do you do when no one seems to understand who you really are? Imagine finding a place in the busy streets of Brooklyn where music, friendship, and hope come alive—but nothing is guaranteed. Can Kid hold onto love and family when everything else feels like it's burning down?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a sixteen-year-old known as Kid, navigating life as a street child in Brooklyn over two summers filled with music, loss, and self-discovery. The story explores themes of identity and interpersonal relationships, including a subtle depiction of romance without specifying gender, making it inclusive and thought-provoking for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note some references to alcohol and the challenges of street life, though these are handled with sensitivity.
Why we rated Brooklyn, burning 11ME
Brooklyn, burning is written at a Level 6 reading level across 202 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Brooklyn, burning works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Brooklyn, burning as 11ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Alcohol Use.
Thematically, Brooklyn, burning explores street children, interpersonal relations, musicians, friendship, and coming of age — 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 street children, interpersonal relations, musicians.
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
11ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Tulsa Burning
Anna Myers
Tulsa Burning
Anna Myers
The Burning City
Ariel Dorfman
The Burning City
Ariel Dorfman
Burning City, The
Ariel Dorfman
Burning City, The
Ariel Dorfman
Burning Ambition
Jonathan Bernstein
Burning Ambition
Jonathan Bernstein
Burn down the ground
Kambri Crews
Burn down the ground
Kambri Crews
Burnout
Rebecca Donner
Burnout
Rebecca Donner
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780761375265
- Pages
- 202
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Lab
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction