What reading level is John Adams?

John Adams by Sneed B. Collard is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What genre is John Adams?

John Adams is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the American Heroes (Marshall Cavendish) series.

How many pages is John Adams?

John Adams by Sneed B. Collard is 52 pages (approximately 1,356 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

John Adams

Sneed B. Collard

John Adams

Q: What age is John Adams appropriate for?

John Adams is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril, Physical/Safety: Illness & Injury, Physical/Safety: Physical Danger.

Q: Does John Adams have any content warnings?

John Adams has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril, Physical/Safety: Illness & Injury, Physical/Safety: Physical Danger. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

our second president

by Sneed B. Collard

American Heroes (Marshall Cavendish)

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 5-8 Heads Up Page-Turner

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Discover the life of John Adams, the second president of the United States, through exciting stories that bring history to life for young readers. Follow his journey from childhood adventures to leading a young nation with courage and determination. Perfect for curious minds eager to learn about American history and leadership.

Themes

HistoricalBiographyComing of Age Family

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, physical/safety: mild peril, physical/safety: illness & injury. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated John Adams 9IE

John Adams is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 52 pages (approximately 1,356 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, John Adams works for readers up to grade 6.4.

Read aloud, John Adams takes about 9 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate John Adams as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril, Physical/Safety: Illness & Injury, Physical/Safety: Physical Danger.

Thematically, John Adams explores historical, biography, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, biography, coming of age.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the American Heroes (Marshall Cavendish) series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 5-8 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.