Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave
David B. Weems
Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David B. Weems
Illustrated by Mauro Magellan
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of saltwater fills the air as the creaking ship rocks beneath your feet. Suddenly, the cold grip of chains wraps around you, and the distant cries of seagulls fade into silence. Far from home, a young lord must find courage where hope feels as distant as the shore.
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows a young Scottish lord who is kidnapped and sold into servitude in Colonial America. Suitable for children aged 9-12, it explores themes of resilience and adaptation in a challenging historical context. The book contains mild peril related to the protagonist's captivity but is appropriate for middle-grade readers interested in historical settings.
Why we rated Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave 9LE
Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Son of an Earl...Sold for a Slave explores historical, adventure, and coming of age — 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, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780613960359
- Publisher
- Tandem Library
- Published
- December 1993
- Type
- Fiction