The black moon
Winston Graham
The black moon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Novel of Cornwall, 1794-1795
by Winston Graham
The text is written at a 8th 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 cold wind whips through Cornwall as a newborn's cry splits the night, deepening the feud between two powerful families. Morwenna watches nervously, torn between duty and a secret love that could change everything. Suddenly, a shadow moves in the dark—what will happen next?
Quick Assessment
Set in 18th-century Cornwall, this historical fiction explores themes of family rivalry, love, and social tensions through the intertwined lives of the Poldark and Warleggan families. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it contains complex relationships and mild conflict but no graphic content. Parents should note the story includes themes of family discord and romantic feelings appropriate for ages 9 to 12.
Why we rated The black moon 12LE
The black moon is written at a Level 8 reading level across 870 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The black moon works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The black moon as 12LE ("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, The black moon explores family, romance, historical, and social justice — 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 family, romance, historical.
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
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 0816166803
- Pages
- 870
- Publisher
- G K Hall & Company
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction