Figuring Violence
Rebecca A. Adelman
Figuring Violence
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Affective Investments in Perpetual War
by Rebecca A. Adelman
The text is written at a 7th 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
Here’s a secret: behind every soldier’s story, there’s a world of feelings—fear, friendship, and fierce loyalty—that most people don’t see. Imagine discovering how these emotions connect kids, families, and even military animals in ways that shape their everyday lives. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Figuring Violence is a thoughtful middle-grade novel that delves into the emotional and psychological experiences surrounding American militarism. It sensitively explores themes relevant to military families, including the challenges faced by children, spouses, veterans, and even military animals. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story offers insight into complex feelings like apprehension and gratitude without graphic content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Figuring Violence 12ME
Figuring Violence is written at a Level 7 reading level across 352 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Figuring Violence works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Figuring Violence 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, Figuring Violence explores psychology, military, children of military personnel, veterans, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about psychology, military, children of military personnel.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780823281671
- Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Fordham University Press
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Nonfiction