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Peace, Locomotion

Jacqueline Woodson

Cover of Peace, Locomotion

Peace, Locomotion

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jacqueline Woodson

Reading Level 5-6 Unrated Ages 9-12

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

Through letters to his little sister, who is living in a different foster home, sixth-grader Lonnie, also known as "Locomotion," keeps a record of their lives while they are apart, describing his own foster family, including his foster brother who returns home after losing a leg in the Iraq War.

Quick Assessment

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

Why we rated Peace, Locomotion Level 0

Peace, Locomotion is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 860L across 134 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Peace, Locomotion works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Peace, Locomotion as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.

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

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.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

134 pages
ISBN
9780399246555
Pages
134
Publisher
Penguin
Published
2009
Type
Fiction
Lexile
860L

Genres

Subjects

Foster Home CareBrothers and SistersOrphansPeaceAfrican AmericansLettersAfrican American BoysLetters in FictionOrphans in FictionAfrican American Boys in FictionBrothers and Sisters in FictionRealistic FictionFoster Home Care in FictionTwelve-year-old BoysPeace in FictionChildren's Stories, African AmericanAfrican Americans in FictionTwelve-year-old Boys in FictionBoysFamily LifeSiblings