Run the blockade
G. Clifton Wisler
Run the blockade
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by G. Clifton Wisler
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
At just fourteen, Henry embarks on a daring journey as a ship's boy and lookout on the British vessel, the Banshee. Facing the dangers of the Civil War seas, he helps navigate through the challenging Yankee blockade along the Southern coast. Adventure and courage guide him through this thrilling maritime mission.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, war & conflict. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Run the blockade 10MP
Run the blockade is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 122 pages (approximately 30,743 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Run the blockade works for readers up to grade 7.8.
Read aloud, Run the blockade runs about 3.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Run the blockade as 10MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical Danger, War & Conflict.
Thematically, Run the blockade explores adventure, historical, sea stories, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 adventure, historical, sea stories.
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
10MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0688165389
- Pages
- 122
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Children's Books
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 30,743
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 25m
- Text Density
- Dense