Strike!
Larry Dane Brimner
Strike!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Larry Dane Brimner
The text is written at a 8th 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
Step into the powerful story of farm workers standing up for fair pay and better lives during the 1960s Delano grape strike. Meet inspiring leaders like César Chávez and Larry Itliong as they unite workers to demand justice and change across California’s vineyards. This moving tale brings history to life with real voices and images from the fight for workers' rights.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 8-9 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include labor conflict, social justice, racial discrimination. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Strike! 12MS
Strike! is written at a Level 8-9 reading level across 172 pages (approximately 32,173 words). Strong independent readers around grade 9.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Strike! works for readers up to grade 10.5.
Read aloud, Strike! runs about 3.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Strike! as 12MS ("Moderate — 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 social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Labor Conflict, Social Justice, Racial Discrimination.
Thematically, Strike! explores labor unions, historical, social justice, multicultural, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about labor unions, historical, social justice.
- ✓ 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.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12MS — Moderate — SocialReal 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Cesar Chavez
Susan Zannos
Cesar Chavez
Susan Zannos
Cesar Chavez
Joeming W. Dunn
Cesar Chavez
Joeming W. Dunn
Cesar Chavez
Tyler Schumacher
Cesar Chavez
Tyler Schumacher
Strike!
Barbara Corcoran
Strike!
Barbara Corcoran
César Chávez
Bárbara Cruz
César Chávez
Bárbara Cruz
Cesar Chavez
J. L. Matthews
Cesar Chavez
J. L. Matthews
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781590789971
- Pages
- 172
- Publisher
- Astra Publishing House
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 32,173
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 34m
- Text Density
- Standard