HootRated mascot HootRated

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated

The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History

David K. Fremon

Cover of The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History

The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by David K. Fremon

In American History

Reading Level 7-8 12MS Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 7th 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.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Explore the challenging journey of African Americans as they faced segregation and fought for equal rights from the end of slavery through the era of Jim Crow laws. This story sheds light on the courage and determination that fueled the civil rights movement and the quest for justice in the Southern United States.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 7-8 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include racial discrimination, historical, social justice. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History 12MS

The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 128 pages (approximately 17,305 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History works for readers up to grade 9.4.

Read aloud, The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History runs about 1.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History as 12MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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: Racial Discrimination, Historical, Social Justice.

Thematically, The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History explores multicultural, historical, social justice, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

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 multicultural, historical, social justice.
  • Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 10 more books in the In American History series.
  • 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.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12MS — Moderate — Social
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Clear

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Racial Discrimination Historical Social Justice
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

7/10

High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.

Discussion Potential

6/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
6
Emotional Weight
6
Narrative Pace
7
Theme Richness
8
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
8

More in the In American History Series

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

128 pages
17,305 words
1h 55m read-aloud
ISBN
0766012972
Pages
128
Publisher
Enslow Publishing
Published
2000
Type
Nonfiction
Word Count
17,305
Read-Aloud
~1h 55m
Text Density
Light Text

Genres

Subjects

African AmericansCivil RightsSouthern States19th CenturySegregationLegal Status, Laws, EtcRacism1863-18771877-1964Race Relations