September, September
Shelby Foote
September, September
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Shelby Foote
The text is written at a 7th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: three friends decide to pull off a kidnapping to stir up trouble, but they have no idea what they’re really getting into. Their plan spirals out of control in a town caught in the middle of a huge fight about who belongs where. But that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Set in the tense South of 1957, this middle-grade novel explores themes of racial conflict and social upheaval through the story of a poorly planned kidnapping. The book contains complex themes about race relations and historical consequences that may prompt thoughtful discussions. Suitable for ages 9-12 with parental guidance due to its mature themes and historical context.
Why we rated September, September 12IS
September, September is written at a Level 7 reading level across 302 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, September, September works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate September, September as 12IS ("Intense — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, September, September explores historical, social justice, friendship, family, and coming of age — 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 historical, social justice, friendship.
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
12IS — Intense — SocialReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Petersburg Siege to Bentonville (Shelby Foote, the Civil War, a Narrative)
Shelby Foote
Petersburg Siege to Bentonville (Shelby Foote, the Civil War, a Narrative)
Shelby Foote
September can be dangerous in Edinburgh.
Bill Craig
September can be dangerous in Edinburgh.
Bill Craig
It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time
D. James Smith
It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time
D. James Smith
Little Rock Nine
Stephanie Fitzgerald
Little Rock Nine
Stephanie Fitzgerald
September 12th
September 12th
Mississippi morning
Ruth Vander Zee
Mississippi morning
Ruth Vander Zee
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780394407210
- Pages
- 302
- Publisher
- Random House (NY)
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction