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The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Cover of The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Benjamin Franklin

Reading Level 11-12 14C Ages 16+ Sweet Spot

The text is written at a 11th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens and adults (ages 16+), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Discover the extraordinary journey of Benjamin Franklin, who rose from a young printer's apprentice to a renowned inventor, scientist, and influential statesman. Experience history through the eyes of a man whose innovations and leadership shaped a nation.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 11-12 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 16+.

Why we rated The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin 14C

The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is written at a Level 11-12 reading level across 160 pages (approximately 68,231 words). Strong independent readers around grade 12.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin works for readers up to grade 13.8.

Read aloud, The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin runs about 7.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin as 14C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin explores biography, historical, science & nature, coming of age, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 16+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about biography, historical, science & nature.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

14C — Clear
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
10
Emotional Weight
2
Narrative Pace
1
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
10
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

160 pages
68,231 words
7h 35m read-aloud
ISBN
0684841967
Pages
160
Publisher
Touchstone Books
Published
1997
Type
Nonfiction
Word Count
68,231
Read-Aloud
~7h 35m
Text Density
Very Dense

Genres

Subjects

StatesmenWillsScientistsPrintersAmerican MaximsInventorsCorrespondencePhilosophersPolitics and GovernmentStatesmanOpen Library Staff PicksMaximsWillPortraitsSourcesQuakersEducationChildhood and YouthFranklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790Statesmen, BiographyStatesmen, United StatesScientists, BiographyEducation, United StatesUnited States, BiographyBiography & AutobiographyNonfictionClassic LiteratureDictionariesEnglish LanguageFrenchHistoricalSpanishPoliticsMeteorologyDiplomacyTheologyFranklinLifeGovernorGreatColoniesTionPublicAfterwardGoingGreat BritainGood DealLord HoweLord HillsboroughGreat DealTen YearsPublic MindPublic DomainFranklin WroteYoung ManPaper MoneyKoreanForeign RelationsDiplomatic RelationsLarge Type BooksUnited States, HistoryPersonal MemoirsHommes D'ÉtatBiographiesAutobiografieOperating SystemsProblems, ExercisesUnixSolarisLinuxFrench LanguageFounding Fathers of the United StatesFranklin, Benjamin , 1706-1790Statesmen--united States--biographyE302.6.f7 A3 1996973.3/092 BPolitique Et GouvernementTextbooksFranklin, Benjamin,American AuthorsImprimeursScientifiquesModern18th CenturyUnited StatesRevolutionary PeriodDramaKings and RulersSuccessionRegicidesMurder Victims' FamiliesMelancholyFathersDeathGhostsRevengeGuiltPrincesLibraryPersonal CopyConduct of LifePseudomorphsPersonal FinanceEarly Works to 1800

People

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)Frank Woodworth Pine (1869-)John Woolman (1720-1772)

Places

United StatesPennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaFranceStatesmenUnited States of America