The Plague (My Side of the Story)
Philip Wooderson
The Plague (My Side of the Story)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Philip Wooderson
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 you do if a scary disease swept through your city and everyone you know was afraid? In 1665 London, Rachel catches the plague, and her best friend Robert is told to stay away. But how far will friendship go when danger is this close?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction novel explores the impact of the 1665 plague in London through the eyes of Rachel and Robert, two children facing fear and separation. The dual-perspective format allows readers to see contrasting reactions to the same events, making it a compelling story about friendship and resilience. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles heavy themes like illness and loss with sensitivity appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated The Plague (My Side of the Story) 9ME
The Plague (My Side of the Story) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Plague (My Side of the Story) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Plague (My Side of the Story) 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 Plague (My Side of the Story) explores historical, friendship, coming of age, and illness & injury — 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 historical, friendship, 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780753459904
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Kingfisher
- Published
- July 5, 2006
- Type
- Fiction