The Corn Raid
James Collier
The Corn Raid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story of the Jamestown Settlement
by James Collier
The text is written at a 4th 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
Friendship can cross even the deepest divides, but what happens when loyalty is put to the ultimate test? Two twelve-year-olds—one English, one Native American—face a dangerous secret that could change everything. Their choices will shape the future of Jamestown and beyond.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in colonial Jamestown, this historical fiction explores the complex friendship between two twelve-year-old indentured servants from different cultures. It thoughtfully addresses themes of loyalty, cultural conflict, and early American history, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the story involves tension around a planned raid, but it is presented thoughtfully and age-appropriately.
Why we rated The Corn Raid 9ME
The Corn Raid is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 142 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Corn Raid works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Corn Raid as 9ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Corn Raid explores historical, friendship, cultural conflict, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, friendship, cultural conflict.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780613367998
- Pages
- 142
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 2001
- Type
- Fiction