The journal of Finn Reardon
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
The journal of Finn Reardon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Newsie
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Finn Reardon isn’t just any newspaper carrier—he’s a thirteen-year-old with a dream to become a journalist. Delivering papers through the bustling streets of 1899 New York, he captures the city’s heart and struggles in his secret journal. What he writes could change how you see history forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows thirteen-year-old Finn Reardon, an Irish-American newspaper carrier in 1899 New York City who aspires to be a journalist. Through his journal entries, readers gain insight into the immigrant experience and urban life at the turn of the century. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it includes historical notes to enrich understanding without intense content.
Why we rated The journal of Finn Reardon 9LS
The journal of Finn Reardon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 156 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The journal of Finn Reardon works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The journal of Finn Reardon as 9LS ("Light — Social") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The journal of Finn Reardon explores irish americans, newspaper carriers, diaries, new york history, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about irish americans, newspaper carriers, diaries.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LS — Light — SocialNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0439188946
- Pages
- 156
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Fiction