Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The journal of C.J. Jackson
William Durbin
The journal of C.J. Jackson
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Dust Bowl Migrant
by William Durbin
My Name Is America
The text is written at a 5th 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. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
At just thirteen, C.J. Jackson captures the struggles of his family as they leave their Oklahoma farm behind during the Dust Bowl. Their journey westward to California leads them into the tough life of migrant workers, testing their courage and hope. Through C.J.'s eyes, experience a powerful story of resilience during one of America's toughest times.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include poverty & hardship, loss & grief, physical danger. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The journal of C.J. Jackson ME (Moderate)
The journal of C.J. Jackson is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 169 pages (approximately 31,294 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The journal of C.J. Jackson on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, The journal of C.J. Jackson runs about 3.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The journal of C.J. Jackson as ME (Moderate, mostly emotional) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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: Poverty & Hardship, Loss & Grief, Physical Danger.
Thematically, The journal of C.J. Jackson explores family, coming of age, historical, survival, and social justice — 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.
- ✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
ME · Moderate · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10Fewer of the usual hooks for reluctant readers, such as a long series, humor or adventure.
Discussion Potential
7/10Rich themes that spark meaningful family conversation. Great for book clubs and read-alouds.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0439153069
- Pages
- 169
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 31,294
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 29m
- Text Density
- Standard