What reading level is Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan?

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan by David G. Wittner is at a Level 8-9 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What genre is Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan?

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Library of American Lives and Times; PowerPlus Books series.

Does Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan have any content warnings?

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan 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 Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan?

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan by David G. Wittner is 112 pages (approximately 13,697 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan

David G. Wittner

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by David G. Wittner

Library of American Lives and Times; PowerPlus Books

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

The text is written at a 8th 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 adventurous journey of Matthew Perry, a brave naval officer who changed history by opening Japan to the world. Follow his exciting expedition across the seas as he helps connect distant cultures and shapes the future of international trade. Perfect for young explorers curious about history and courage.

Themes

Adventure HistoricalBiographyFamily

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 8-9 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 Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan 12C

Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan is written at a Level 8-9 reading level across 112 pages (approximately 13,697 words). Strong independent readers around grade 9.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan works for readers up to grade 10.4.

Read aloud, Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan runs about 1.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan 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, Commodore Matthew Perry and the Perry Expedition to Japan explores adventure, historical, biography, and family — 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 adventure, historical, biography.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 7 more books in the Library of American Lives and Times; PowerPlus Books 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.