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Driven from the land

Milton Meltzer

Cover of Driven from the land

Driven from the land

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

the story of the Dust Bowl

by Milton Meltzer

Reading Level 4-5 Unrated Ages 9-12

The text is written at a 4th 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

Among the authors of this highly acclaimed series are Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner Milton Meltzer, Coretta Scott King Award winner James Haskins and noted author Raymond Bial. The series itself focuses on major population shifts in America and the driving forces behind them. The authors' vivid accounts are given additional immediacy with the inclusion of excerpts from diaries, newspaper articles and letters.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Driven from the land Level 0

Driven from the land is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 111 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Driven from the land works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Driven from the land as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.

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

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.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
10
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

111 pages
ISBN
9780761409687
Pages
111
Publisher
Benchmark Books
Published
2000
Type
Nonfiction

Subjects

Dust StormsGreat Plains20th CenturyDroughtsMigration, InternalUnited StatesDepressions1929Dust Bowl Era, 1931-1939Social ConditionsEconomic ConditionsWest1890-1945Internal MigrationGreat Depression, 1929-1939Dust Bowl Erafastfst00899651Economic History

Places

Great PlainsUnited StatesWest (U.S.)