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Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback))

Stacia Deutsch

Cover of Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback))

Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback))

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Stacia Deutsch

Illustrated by David T. Wenzel

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The sharp clang of horse hooves echoes through the dusty streets of 1860s America, mingling with whispers of hope and fear. You can almost smell the smoky campfires as the class steps into the past, racing against time to change history. Will their courage be enough to convince President Lincoln to keep fighting for freedom?

Themes

Historical - United States - 19th CenturyAction & AdventureFriendshipComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This historical fiction book follows a group of students who travel back to the 19th century to influence President Lincoln's decision on emancipation. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it combines action and adventure with important themes about history and justice. The story handles complex historical issues thoughtfully without graphic content.

Why we rated Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback)) 9LP

Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback)) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback)) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback)) as 9LP ("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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Historical Themes.

Thematically, Lincoln's Legacy (Blast to the Past (Turtleback)) explores historical - united states - 19th century, action & adventure, friendship, and coming of age — 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 historical - united states - 19th century, action & adventure, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril Historical Themes
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

ISBN
9780606333726
Publisher
Turtleback Books
Published
January 2005
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Action & AdventureHistoricalUnited States19th CenturyChapter Books