The glass castle

Jeannette Walls

Cover of The glass castle

The glass castle

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Memoir

by Jeannette Walls

Reading Level 5-6 Intense (Lvl 4) Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

Growing up in a struggling mining town, Jeannette and her siblings face challenges as their father’s drinking and absence deepen their family’s struggles. Amid hardship and neglect, they rely on each other’s strength and resilience to navigate a difficult childhood and eventually find a way to build a better future. This powerful story reveals both the pain and the enduring love within a family marked by turmoil and hope.

Themes

FamilyComing of AgeResilienceSocial JusticeProblem FamiliesBiography

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include alcoholism, neglect, family dysfunction. Written for readers ages 13+.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 4 — Intense
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Alcoholism Neglect Family Dysfunction Emotional: Loss & Grief Emotional: Family Change Emotional: Fear & Anxiety
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
8
Narrative Pace
3
Theme Richness
10
World Scope
10
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

288 pages
74,218 words
8h 15m read-aloud
ISBN
9780743247535
Pages
288
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published
2005
Type
Nonfiction
Word Count
74,218
Read-Aloud
~8h 15m
Text Density
Dense

Genres

Biography & Autobiography

Subjects

Walls, JeannetteChildren of AlcoholicsUnited StatesWest VirginiaWelchProblem FamiliesCase StudiesPoorHomeless PersonsNew YorkFamily RelationshipsDysfunctional FamiliesExtraterrestrial BeingsScience FictionSurvivalWarReading Level-Grade 11Reading Level-Grade 12Child of Impaired ParentsFamily RelationsLarge Type BooksWest Virginia, BiographyRural PoorPoor, United StatesJournalists, BiographyCasos De EstudioBiografi aHijos De Padres Alcoho LicosDesamparadosPobresFamilias Problema TicasRelaciones FamiliaresFamilias ProblemáticasHijos De Padres AlcohólicosPersonas Sin HogarBiografíaChildhood and YouthWomen JournalistsPobrezaFamiliesHijos De AlcohólicosFamiliasPovertyRelaciones De FamiliaProblemas FamiliaresBiographiesEnfance Et JeunesseFamilleEnfants D'alcooliquesFamilles InadaptéesCas, Études DePauvresSans-abriRelations FamilialesEnfant D'alcooliqueFamille DysfonctionnelleItinéranceJeunessePauvretéBiographieEnfant De Parents AlcooliquesDocumentAdult ChildrenPersonal NarrativesAlcoholismChildren of Alcoholics--united States--biographyChildren of Alcoholics--west Virginia--welch--biographyDysfunctional Families--united States--case StudiesDysfunctional Families--west Virginia--welch--case StudiesPoor--west Virginia--welch--biographyHomeless Persons--family RelationshipsHomeless Persons--new York--new York--family RelationshipsHomeless Persons--family Relationships--new York--new YorkHv5132 .w35 2005Ws 105.5.f2 W215g 2005362.82/092 BSocial Work & Human ServicesGeneral & Miscellaneous BiographyUnited States StudiesFamily MemoirsPublic Affairs & PoliciesPatient NarrativesSocial Problems

People

Jeannette WallsRose Mary WallsRex WallsBrian WallsLori WallsMaureen WallsJeannette Walls (1960-)

Places

WelchWest VirginiaUnited StatesNew York (State)New YorkNueva YorkNueva York (Estado)Estados UnidosÉtats-UnisVirginie-OccidentaleNew York (État)