Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Lincoln's Grave Robbers
Steve Sheinkin
Lincoln's Grave Robbers
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steve Sheinkin
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
Night falls over Springfield as shadows move stealthily through the cemetery. Hands tremble while digging near a cold stone — but what if the grave isn’t as empty as they think? Suddenly, a noise breaks the silence. What’s coming next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade nonfiction book recounts the true story of the 1876 attempt to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body from his grave. It provides historical context and engaging narrative suitable for ages 9-12, with no graphic content but some mild suspense related to grave robbing. Parents should note its focus on historical events and the importance of respecting history.
Why we rated Lincoln's Grave Robbers LP (Mild)
Lincoln's Grave Robbers is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 214 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage Lincoln's Grave Robbers on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Lincoln's Grave Robbers as LP (Mild, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Lincoln's Grave Robbers explores history, biography & autobiography, presidents & first families, and juvenile nonfiction — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, biography & autobiography, presidents & first families.
- ✓ 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
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading 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
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545405720
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2013-01
- Type
- Nonfiction