Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Franklin Pierce
Jeff C. Young
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Discover the life of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, who led the nation through a time of growing tensions between the North and South. This engaging biography brings history to life with fascinating facts, images, and links to explore more about his political career and personal story. Perfect for young readers curious about American presidents and the challenges they faced.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7-8 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Franklin Pierce C (Gentle)
Franklin Pierce is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 48 pages (approximately 5,664 words). Middle Grades (Ages 9-12) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.
Read aloud, Franklin Pierce takes about 38 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Franklin Pierce as C (Gentle) because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Franklin Pierce explores historical, presidents, biography, 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, presidents, biography.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the MyReportLinks.com; Presidents series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the MyReportLinks.com; Presidents Series
If your child liked this book, they might like these
Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
Abraham Lincoln
Jean F. Blashfield
Abraham Lincoln
Jean F. Blashfield
Presidents of the United States
Editors Of Time For Kids
Presidents of the United States
Editors Of Time For Kids
Thomas Jefferson
Stuart A. Kallen
Thomas Jefferson
Stuart A. Kallen
John F. Kennedy
Michael D. Cole
John F. Kennedy
Michael D. Cole
James Monroe
Stuart A. Kallen
James Monroe
Stuart A. Kallen
Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! (Unforgettable Americans)
Jean Fritz
Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! (Unforgettable Americans)
Jean Fritz
Benjamin Franklin, founding father and inventor
Leila Merrell Foster
Benjamin Franklin, founding father and inventor
Leila Merrell Foster
Presidency
Karen Kellaher
Presidency
Karen Kellaher
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0766050734
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Enslow Publishing
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 5,664
- Read-Aloud
- ~38 min
- Text Density
- Light Text