Secretaries of state
Jason Richie
Secretaries of state
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Making Foreign Policy
by Jason Richie
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it takes to help lead a country through tough times? Imagine stepping into the shoes of eight powerful secretaries of state who shaped history with their decisions. What secrets and challenges did they face behind closed doors?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book explores the biographies and achievements of eight notable U.S. secretaries of state, providing young readers with historical insights into American diplomacy and leadership. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers educational content with accessible language, without graphic or sensitive material. It encourages an understanding of government roles and historical figures in a factual and age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Secretaries of state 9C
Secretaries of state is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 176 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Secretaries of state works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Secretaries of state as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Secretaries of state explores historical, biography, government, and leadership — 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, biography, government.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 188150865X
- Pages
- 176
- Publisher
- Oliver PressInc
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Nonfiction