Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691
Lisa Rowe Fraustino
Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials
by Lisa Rowe Fraustino
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
Deliverance Trembley is just twelve, but she’s caught in one of the most frightening moments in history—the Salem witch trials. As her best friend is accused of being a witch, Deliverance’s diary reveals secrets and fears that shake her world. What happens when trust turns to terror, and how far will Deliverance go to hold on to hope?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows twelve-year-old Deliverance Trembley during the Salem witch trials of 1692, exploring themes of fear, faith, and injustice. It’s appropriate for middle-grade readers (ages 9-12) and offers a sensitive portrayal of prejudice and mass hysteria without graphic content. Parents should note the emotional tension related to accusations and the social dynamics of the Puritan community.
Why we rated Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691 11ME
Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 203 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691 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, 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, Dear America: I Walk in Dread: The Diary of Deliverance Trembley, Witness to the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1691 explores historical, trials (witchcraft), prejudices, faith, 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 historical, trials (witchcraft), prejudices.
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
- 0439249732
- Pages
- 203
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction