HootRated mascot HootRated

Regina Silsby's secret war

Tom Brodeur

Cover of Regina Silsby's secret war

Regina Silsby's secret war

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tom Brodeur

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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

Regina Silsby isn't just any girl—she's the secret weapon behind the Boston Tea Party! Using clever tricks and old superstitions, she outsmarts the British and helps shape history. Her story shows how bravery and brains can change the world.

Quick Assessment

Set in colonial Boston during the tense period after the Boston Tea Party, this historical fiction follows Regina Silsby, a wealthy ship owner's daughter who uses the era's superstitions to aid the Sons of Liberty. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story weaves real historical events with imaginative elements like ghosts and superstition, offering an engaging way to learn about American history. Parents should note the book includes themes of political conflict and historical resistance but presents them in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated Regina Silsby's secret war 11LE

Regina Silsby's secret war is written at a Level 6 reading level across 248 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Regina Silsby's secret war works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Regina Silsby's secret war as 11LE ("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, Regina Silsby's secret war explores historical, adventure, mystery, 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, mystery.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
5
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

248 pages
ISBN
9781591662358
Pages
248
Publisher
Journeyforth
Published
2004
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

GhostsSuperstitionBoston Tea Party, 1773BostonColonial Period, Ca. 1600-1775Boston Tea Party, Boston, Mass., 1773

Places

Boston (Mass.)