What reading level is Colin Powell?

Colin Powell by Alice K. Flanagan is at a Level 7-8 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Colin Powell appropriate for?

Colin Powell is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 12C (Clear).

What genre is Colin Powell?

Colin Powell is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Career Biographies series.

Does Colin Powell have any content warnings?

Colin Powell has a HootRating of 12C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Colin Powell?

Colin Powell by Alice K. Flanagan is 127 pages (approximately 11,204 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Colin Powell

Alice K. Flanagan

Colin Powell

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Alice K. Flanagan

Career Biographies

Reading Level 7-8 12C Ages 9-12 Sweet Spot Page-Turner

The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Discover the inspiring journey of Colin Powell, from his childhood in Harlem to becoming a top military leader and U.S. Secretary of State. Learn about his dedication, leadership, and the important roles he played in the army and government. This biography highlights how hard work and commitment can lead to remarkable achievements.

Themes

BiographyHistoryLeadershipMilitaryGovernmentComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 7-8 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Colin Powell 12C

Colin Powell is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 127 pages (approximately 11,204 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Colin Powell works for readers up to grade 9.7.

Read aloud, Colin Powell runs about 1.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Colin Powell as 12C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

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

Thematically, Colin Powell explores biography, history, leadership, military, and government — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about biography, history, leadership.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Career Biographies series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.