What reading level is The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier?

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier by Murphy, Jim is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What genre is The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier?

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier have any content warnings?

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Loss & Grief, Fear & Anxiety, Mild Peril, War & Conflict. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier?

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier by Murphy, Jim is 173 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

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

Murphy, Jim

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

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Murphy, Jim

Reading Level 4-5 9ME 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.

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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 9ME

The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier as 9ME ("Moderate — 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ 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.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.