The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins
Walter Dean Myers
The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
My Name is America : the Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins, a World War II Soldier
by Walter Dean Myers
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What would it be like to be just seventeen and thrown into one of the most daring battles in history? Scott Pendleton Collins writes letters from the heart of World War II, sharing the fears, hopes, and fierce courage of a young soldier. But as the invasion unfolds, can he survive what lies ahead?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book presents a fictionalized diary of a teenage soldier during the D-Day invasion and the battles that follow in World War II. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers historical context and emotional insight into a young soldier's experience, with some descriptions of war that are appropriate for middle-grade readers. Parents should note the presence of war themes and mild peril.
Why we rated The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins 9ME
The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 140 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The journal of Scott Pendleton Collins explores world war, historical, coming of age, diaries, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about world war, historical, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The juvenile novels of World War II
Desmond Taylor
The juvenile novels of World War II
Desmond Taylor
The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier
Murphy, Jim
The journal of James Edmond Pease, a Civil War Union soldier
Murphy, Jim
Secrets of World War II
Sean McCollum
Secrets of World War II
Sean McCollum
The Journal of James Edmond Pease a Civil War Union Soldier (My Name is America)
Jim Murphy
The Journal of James Edmond Pease a Civil War Union Soldier (My Name is America)
Jim Murphy
Book of War Stories
Paul Dowswell
Book of War Stories
Paul Dowswell
The Civil War
Scott Marquette
The Civil War
Scott Marquette
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545050661
- Pages
- 140
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction