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.
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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 11LP
Lincoln's Grave Robbers is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 930L across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lincoln's Grave Robbers works for readers up to grade 8.5.
We rate Lincoln's Grave Robbers as 11LP ("Light — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ 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 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
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
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
- Lexile
- 930L