My Brother Sam Is Dead
James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier
My Brother Sam Is Dead
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp crack of muskets fills the air, mingling with the smoke and tension of a family torn apart. Tim watches his brother Sam march off to fight, knowing their loyalty lies on opposite sides. The echoes of war ripple through their home, changing everything in ways he never imagined.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the American Revolutionary War, this historical novel explores the deep divisions within a family when one brother chooses to rebel against British rule. Suitable for teens, it thoughtfully depicts the impact of war on family dynamics and personal beliefs. Parents should note the book includes themes of conflict and loss but handles them with sensitivity.
Why we rated My Brother Sam Is Dead 11ME
My Brother Sam Is Dead is written at a Level 6 reading level across 230 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My Brother Sam Is Dead works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate My Brother Sam Is Dead as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, My Brother Sam Is Dead explores family, siblings, historical, and military & wars — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 family, siblings, historical.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590427920
- Pages
- 230
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- /1993
- Type
- Fiction