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Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler

James D. Forman

Cover of Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler

Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Count Claus Von Stauffenberg and the Plot to Kill Hitler

by James D. Forman

Reading Level 6 11MT Ages 9-12 Matched

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.

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About This Book

The sharp crack of thunder echoes through the tense air as secret plans unfold in a dimly lit room. You can almost smell the smoke of burning documents and hear hushed whispers plotting to change history. But can one brave man’s courage tip the scales in a world shadowed by war and danger?

Themes

HistoricalAdventureComing of AgeMoral ComplexityWar & Conflict

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade biography explores the life of German General Klaus Philipp Graf von Stauffenberg, who orchestrated the 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and bring an end to World War II. Written for readers ages 9-12, it provides historical context while addressing themes of bravery, moral complexity, and the consequences of war. The book handles mature content sensitively, making it suitable for middle-grade readers interested in history and heroism.

Why we rated Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler 11MT

Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler as 11MT ("Moderate — Thematic") 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Code name Valkyrie: Count von Stauffenberg and the plot to kill Hitler explores historical, adventure, coming of age, moral complexity, and war & conflict — 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, adventure, coming of age.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

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

11MT — Moderate — Thematic
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
0875991882
Pages
256
Publisher
S G Phillips
Published
1973
Type
Nonfiction

Genres

Subjects

Schenk Von Stauffenberg, Klaus Philipp, Graf, 1907-1944Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945Assassination Attempt, 1944Assassination Attempts

People

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)Klaus Philipp Schenk von Stauffenberg Graf (1907-1944)