The friendship
Mildred D. Taylor
The friendship
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrated by Max Ginsberg
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Set in 1933 Mississippi, this story follows Cassie Logan and her brothers as they navigate the dangers of a racially divided town. When they witness an elderly Black man boldly defying social norms by addressing a white storekeeper informally, tensions rise and secrets from the past surface. The tale explores courage, friendship, and the harsh realities of prejudice during a turbulent time.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include substance use, unconsciousness, minor sexualization. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The friendship 9IS
The friendship is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 53 pages (approximately 5,427 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The friendship works for readers up to grade 6.1.
Read aloud, The friendship takes about 36 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The friendship as 9IS ("Intense — Social") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use, Unconsciousness, Minor Sexualization, Vomiting, Incarceration, Unstable Reality, Emotional Meltdown, Sudden Loud Noises, Screaming, Obscene Language.
Thematically, The friendship explores multicultural, race relations, family, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, race relations, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IS — Intense — SocialHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 0803704178
- Pages
- 53
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 1987
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 5,427
- Read-Aloud
- ~36 min
- Text Density
- Light Text