Slave of the Haida
Doris Andersen
Slave of the Haida
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Doris Andersen
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here's a secret: Kim-ta is a captive, held far from home by the Haida. Every day is a silent fight to stay alive and find a way back. But that’s only the beginning of his daring journey.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Kim-ta, a young boy captured and enslaved by the Haida people. The story explores themes of courage and survival in a historical Indigenous setting, suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of captivity and the threat of sacrifice, which are handled with sensitivity.
Why we rated Slave of the Haida 9ME
Slave of the Haida is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 166 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Slave of the Haida works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Slave of the Haida as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") 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, physical peril — 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, Slave of the Haida explores adventure, historical, survival, 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.
- ✓ 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, survival.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
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
- 0770511562
- Pages
- 166
- Publisher
- CNIB, [197-?]
- Published
- 1974
- Type
- Fiction