What reading level is Mae Jemison?

Mae Jemison by Heather E. Schwartz is at a Level 5-6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Mae Jemison appropriate for?

Mae Jemison is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10C (Clear).

What genre is Mae Jemison?

Mae Jemison is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Alternator Books; Boss Lady Bios series.

Does Mae Jemison have any content warnings?

Mae Jemison has a HootRating of 10C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Mae Jemison?

Mae Jemison by Heather E. Schwartz is 36 pages (approximately 1,936 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Mae Jemison

Heather E. Schwartz

Mae Jemison

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Heather E. Schwartz

Alternator Books; Boss Lady Bios

Reading Level 5-6 10C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Discover the remarkable journey of Mae Jemison, a trailblazer who soared beyond the stars as the first Black woman astronaut. From her work as a doctor and engineer to her adventures in teaching and technology, her story shows how determination can launch dreams into orbit. Get inspired by her incredible accomplishments both on Earth and in space.

Themes

TransportationScience & Nature Coming of Age Family Adventure

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Mae Jemison 10C

Mae Jemison is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 36 pages (approximately 1,936 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mae Jemison works for readers up to grade 7.5.

Read aloud, Mae Jemison takes about 13 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Mae Jemison as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Mae Jemison explores transportation, science & nature, coming of age, family, and adventure — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about transportation, science & nature, coming of age.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Alternator Books; Boss Lady Bios series.
✓ 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.