The liberal middle class: maker of radicals
Richard Loyd Cutler
The liberal middle class: maker of radicals
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard Loyd Cutler
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Did you know that some families might be raising secret rebels without even realizing it? Behind closed doors, ordinary homes could be the starting point for big, unexpected changes. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This thought-provoking fictional work explores the roots of radicalism among young people in the United States during the 1960s to 1980s, focusing on social and psychological factors within liberal middle-class families. Suitable for teens aged 13 to 18, it delves into complex themes like political activism, social change, and cultural influences such as music and drug use. Parents should note the mature subject matter and historical context that may prompt important discussions.
Why we rated The liberal middle class: maker of radicals 11MS
The liberal middle class: maker of radicals is written at a Level 6 reading level across 255 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The liberal middle class: maker of radicals works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The liberal middle class: maker of radicals as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Drug References, Political Themes.
Thematically, The liberal middle class: maker of radicals explores radicalism, young adults, social conditions, psychology, and music influence — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about radicalism, young adults, social conditions.
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
11MS — Moderate — SocialReal 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0870002104
- Pages
- 255
- Publisher
- Arlington House
- Published
- 1973
- Type
- Fiction