The obituary
Shelia P. Moses
The obituary
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Shelia P. Moses
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 secrets can an old obituary reveal about a family's past? When Pattie Mae's grandfather passes away, she discovers a hidden story in her grandmother's collection of obituaries. But finding her uncle in Harlem, who fled from danger, leads to questions that only she can answer.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows twelve-year-old Pattie Mae as she uncovers her family's history after her grandfather's death in 1947 rural North Carolina. The story explores themes of family, race relations, and resilience, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the book touches on difficult subjects like racial violence and the Ku Klux Klan in a sensitive manner appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The obituary 9ME
The obituary is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 168 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The obituary works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The obituary 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, social complexity — 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 obituary explores family, african americans, race relations, coming of age, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, african americans, race relations.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0689874316
- Pages
- 168
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction