The founding
Fred Barbash
The founding
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Dramatic Account of the Writing of the Constitution
by Fred Barbash
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The story behind America's Constitution is full of secrets and surprises that shaped the country we live in today. Imagine the intense debates and clever minds working together to create rules that still matter. This tale reveals why those moments changed everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction offers an engaging look at the events and personalities of the United States Constitutional Convention. Suitable for ages 9-12, it presents complex political ideas in an accessible way without graphic content. Parents can trust it as an informative introduction to American history and constitutional foundations.
Why we rated The founding 11LT
The founding is written at a Level 6 reading level across 286 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The founding works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The founding as 11LT ("Light — Thematic") 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 founding explores historical, united states, constitutional history, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, united states, constitutional history.
- ✓ 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
11LT — Light — ThematicNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780671552565
- Pages
- 286
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Published
- 1987
- Type
- Nonfiction