Degenerates
J. Albert Mann
Degenerates
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by J. Albert Mann
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
These girls aren’t just struggling—they’re fighting back against a cruel system that wants to keep them down. At the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded in 1928, Maxine, Rose, Alice, and London face harsh rules and tough bullies, but their courage shows strength can come from the most unexpected places. Their stories prove that standing up for yourself matters more than anyone else’s opinion.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1928, this historical fiction follows four girls confined to a Massachusetts institution for people with disabilities, where they endure bullying and mistreatment by staff and peers. The book explores themes of resilience, injustice, and the impact of eugenics policies, providing historical context suitable for mature young readers aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of the book’s depiction of institutional cruelty and social challenges faced by the characters.
Why we rated Degenerates 12ME
Degenerates is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Degenerates works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Degenerates as 12ME ("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, Degenerates explores historical, school & education, disabilities, friendship, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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, school & education, disabilities.
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
12ME — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Girl offenders aged 17 to 20 years
Jean Davies
Girl offenders aged 17 to 20 years
Jean Davies
School for Barbarians
Erika Mann
School for Barbarians
Erika Mann
Students at risk
M. Lee Manning
Students at risk
M. Lee Manning
Deviants
C. J. Skuse
Deviants
C. J. Skuse
Alpha Girls
Dan Kindlon
Alpha Girls
Dan Kindlon
Devious
Unknown
Devious
Unknown
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781534419360
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction