Hidden women
Rebecca Rissman
Hidden women
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The African-American Mathematicians of NASA Who Helped America Win the Space Race
by Rebecca Rissman
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
The scratch of pen on paper fills the quiet room as brilliant minds work tirelessly, solving the impossible. Feel the hum of determination and the spark of discovery as these hidden women break barriers in the race to space. Their courage and genius will inspire your heart, but their stories are only beginning to unfold.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Hidden Women is a middle-grade fiction book that brings to life the stories of six remarkable African American women mathematicians who contributed to the U.S. space race. Suitable for ages 9-12, it highlights themes of perseverance, history, and diversity without intense content. Parents can expect an inspiring and educational read that showcases important figures often overlooked in history.
Why we rated Hidden women 9LE
Hidden women is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hidden women works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Hidden women as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Hidden women explores women mathematicians, space race, african american mathematicians, history, and perseverance — 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 women mathematicians, space race, african american mathematicians.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781515799641
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Nonfiction