Crow
Wright, Barbara
Crow
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Wright, Barbara
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
Moses Thomas isn’t just any kid—he’s standing right in the middle of a summer that could change everything. As friendships shift and the world around him grows more tense, Moses faces challenges that test his courage and heart. What will he do when the line between friend and foe starts to blur?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1898 Wilmington, North Carolina, this historical middle-grade novel follows Moses Thomas as he navigates family struggles and shifting friendships against the backdrop of rising racial tensions. The book thoughtfully explores themes of race relations and community conflict appropriate for ages 9-12, with sensitive handling of complex historical issues. Parents should be aware that it deals with real social challenges and may prompt meaningful conversations about history and race.
Why we rated Crow 11ME
Crow is written at a Level 6 reading level across 297 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crow works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Crow 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Crow explores race relations, friendship, history, african americans, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about race relations, friendship, history.
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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780375869280
- Pages
- 297
- Publisher
- Random House Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction