Man with a sword
Henry Treece
Man with a sword
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Henry Treece
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you were the last brave warrior standing in a world that’s changing too fast? Imagine living in the time of kings and castles, where battles shape the future, but your way of life is fading away. Can one man with a sword hold onto honor when everything he knows is slipping through his fingers?
Quick Assessment
Set during the reign of William the Conqueror, this middle-grade historical fiction follows a seasoned warrior confronting loneliness and change as his old world disappears. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of identity and adaptation in a historically rich setting without intense violence or mature content.
Why we rated Man with a sword 9LE
Man with a sword is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Man with a sword works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Man with a sword as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Man with a sword explores historical, adventure, coming of age, and family — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Viking's dawn
Henry Treece
Viking's dawn
Henry Treece
The Sword in the Stone
Grace Maccarone
The Sword in the Stone
Grace Maccarone
Boy with the Sword
Patrick Matthews
Boy with the Sword
Patrick Matthews
The swords of December
Robert York
The swords of December
Robert York
The sword bearer
John White
The sword bearer
John White
If all the swords in England
Barbara Willard
If all the swords in England
Barbara Willard
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0192770845
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press, USA
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction