What reading level is The first crusade?

The first crusade by Susan Edgington is at a Level 8-9 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The first crusade appropriate for?

The first crusade is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 12MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags: War & Conflict, Physical Danger, Historical.

What genre is The first crusade?

The first crusade is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Library of the Middle Ages series.

Does The first crusade have any content warnings?

The first crusade has a HootRating of 12MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags include: War & Conflict, Physical Danger, Historical. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The first crusade?

The first crusade by Susan Edgington is 64 pages (approximately 7,960 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

The first crusade

Susan Edgington

The first crusade

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

The Capture of Jerusalem in AD 1099

by Susan Edgington

Library of the Middle Ages

Reading Level 8-9 12MP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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.

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About This Book

Discover the dramatic journey of knights and pilgrims as they set out on a daring mission to reclaim the holy city of Jerusalem. Experience the challenges, battles, and faith that shaped a pivotal moment in history during the First Crusade. This adventure brings to life the people and events that sparked one of the most famous quests of the Middle Ages.

Themes

Historical AdventureFaithWar & Conflict

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 8-9 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include war & conflict, physical danger, historical. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The first crusade 12MP

The first crusade is written at a Level 8-9 reading level across 64 pages (approximately 7,960 words). Strong independent readers around grade 9.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The first crusade works for readers up to grade 10.3.

Read aloud, The first crusade takes about 53 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate The first crusade as 12MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: War & Conflict, Physical Danger, Historical.

Thematically, The first crusade explores historical, adventure, faith, and war & conflict — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, faith.
✓ 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.