Send one angel down
Virginia Frances Schwartz
Send one angel down
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
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
Eliza faces the cruel realities of slavery, witnessing heartbreaking separations and enduring harsh treatment in the cotton fields. Despite her cousin Abram's efforts to shield her, she confronts prejudice because of her mixed heritage. Amid pain and struggle, Eliza holds onto hope for freedom and a brighter future.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, emotional: fear & anxiety, social: racial discrimination. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Send one angel down 9IE
Send one angel down is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 163 pages (approximately 37,302 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Send one angel down works for readers up to grade 6.2.
Read aloud, Send one angel down runs about 4.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Send one angel down 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: Racial Discrimination, Physical/Safety: Physical Danger.
Thematically, Send one angel down explores coming of age, family, historical, social justice, and multicultural — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, historical.
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.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0823414841
- Pages
- 163
- Publisher
- Holiday House
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 37,302
- Read-Aloud
- ~4h 9m
- Text Density
- Standard