The Lincoln project
Dan Gutman
The Lincoln project
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Gutman
The text is written at a 6th 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
Miss Z’s secret lair buzzes with excitement as the four recruits strap on their time-travel gear. They’re about to step into the past and snap the very first photo of Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. But when the machine whirs to life, something unexpected happens—will they make it back?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book follows four young adventurers sent back in time to photograph Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It blends historical moments with thrilling time-travel adventure, suitable for ages 9-12. The story encourages interest in American history and teamwork without intense content.
Why we rated The Lincoln project 11C
The Lincoln project is written at a Level 6 reading level across 265 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lincoln project works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Lincoln project as 11C ("Clear") 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 Lincoln project explores adventure, historical fiction, time travel, and friendship — 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 adventure, historical fiction, time travel.
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
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780062465498
- Pages
- 265
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction