Slavery
Thomas Streissguth
Slavery
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Thomas Streissguth
The text is written at a 6th 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
Hear the creak of wooden ships and the murmurs of crowded markets where people were treated like things, not humans. Feel the heat of the plantations and the weight of stories from those who lived through it all. These voices tell a powerful tale that still echoes in our hearts today.
Quick Assessment
This book presents a collection of primary documents that explore various perspectives on slavery, including the experiences of enslaved people, slaveholders, abolitionists, and foreign observers. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers historical insights into the harsh realities of the slave trade, plantation life, and resistance efforts, providing a nuanced understanding of this difficult topic. Parents should note the book addresses sensitive subjects such as punishment, rebellion, and the economic impact of slavery with appropriate historical context.
Why we rated Slavery 11ME
Slavery is written at a Level 6 reading level across 223 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Slavery works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Slavery as 11ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Slavery, Punishment, Rebellion.
Thematically, Slavery explores historical, social justice, multicultural, 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, multicultural.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up 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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780737706338
- Pages
- 223
- Publisher
- Greenhaven Press, Incorporated
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Nonfiction