Live in infamy
Caroline Tung Richmond
Live in infamy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Caroline Tung Richmond
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: the world you know was never the same after the Axis powers won World War II. America is ruled by powerful forces that changed everything, but some brave people still dream of freedom. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in an alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, this middle-grade novel explores themes of political oppression and resistance through the eyes of young characters navigating a changed America. Suitable for readers ages 9-12, it thoughtfully introduces complex topics like authoritarianism and cultural identity without graphic content. Parents should be aware of mature themes related to political persecution and revolution.
Why we rated Live in infamy 11MS
Live in infamy is written at a Level 6 reading level across 294 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Live in infamy works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Live in infamy as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Political Persecution.
Thematically, Live in infamy explores political persecution, chinese americans, revolutionaries, historical fiction, and alternate history — 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 political persecution, chinese americans, revolutionaries.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MS — Moderate — SocialReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9781338111095
- Pages
- 294
- Publisher
- Scholastic, Incorporated
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction