Nanjing
Ethan Young
Nanjing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Burning City
by Ethan Young
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The ground trembles as bombs rain down on Nanjing, and soldiers scramble through shattered streets. Two young Chinese soldiers find themselves trapped, surrounded by shadows and danger. What terrifying secrets lurk in the ruins, waiting to be uncovered?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the 1937 Battle of Nanjing, this middle-grade graphic novel presents a fictionalized account of two Chinese soldiers facing overwhelming odds amid wartime chaos. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains depictions of war-related peril and emotional challenges, handled with sensitivity. Parents should be aware of intense scenes portraying conflict and the harsh realities of war.
Why we rated Nanjing 9IE
Nanjing is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 193 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nanjing works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Nanjing as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: War & Conflict, Physical Danger.
Thematically, Nanjing explores historical, war & conflict, bravery, and survival — 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, war & conflict, bravery.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781616557522
- Pages
- 193
- Publisher
- Dark Horse Comics
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction