The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier

Name: The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier
Author: Jim Murphy
ISBN: 059043814X

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jim Murphy

Reading Level 4-5 ME · Moderate · Emotional Ages 9-12 Matched Rich Discussion

The text is written at a 4th 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.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

What would it be like to be just sixteen and suddenly a soldier in the middle of a huge war? James Edmond is an orphan who joins the Union Army, facing battles, new friends, and the challenge of growing up fast. His journal holds secrets and struggles that will change everything—what will he discover about himself and the war?

Themes

Historical Coming of Age Friendship FamilyDiariesAdventure

Quick Assessment

This historical fiction novel follows sixteen-year-old James Edmond, an orphan who volunteers for the Union Army during the Civil War. Through his journal entries, readers gain insight into the realities of war, friendship, and personal growth. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles themes of conflict and loss with sensitivity and historical accuracy.

Why we rated The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier ME (Moderate)

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier 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: Loss & Grief, Fear & Anxiety, Mild Peril, War & Conflict.

Thematically, The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier explores historical, coming of age, friendship, family, and diaries — 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 historical, coming of age, friendship.

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 · Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Moderate

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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.