The good fight
Anne Quirk
The good fight
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anne Quirk
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Amid the turmoil of the American Revolution, fierce rivalries and personal struggles shape the path toward a new nation. Young readers will uncover the intense conflicts and complex relationships between the Founding Fathers as they fight for freedom and justice. This gripping tale reveals the human side of history, filled with courage, betrayal, and hope.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include death & grief, abandonment, physical danger. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The good fight 11IE
The good fight is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 130 pages (approximately 12,379 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The good fight works for readers up to grade 8.4.
Read aloud, The good fight runs about 1.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The good fight as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death & Grief, Abandonment, Physical Danger, Emotional Abuse, Forgiveness, Gaslighting, Stalking, Substance Use, Alcohol Abuse.
Thematically, The good fight explores politics and government, historical, family, social justice, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about politics and government, historical, family.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy 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
- 9781524700355
- Pages
- 130
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 12,379
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 23m
- Text Density
- Light Text