The price of freedom
M. J. Cosson
The price of freedom
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Coming to America from Ireland-- 1717
by M. J. Cosson
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Imagine being promised a new home but ending up somewhere you never expected—where you might be sold like a treasure! Richard faces a tough choice on a ship bound for America, where freedom comes with a price. What will happen to him when promises break and danger lurks?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader fiction explores the difficult journey of Irish immigrants like Richard, who face unexpected hardships when traveling to America in the colonial era. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story introduces themes of emigration, indentured servitude, and family challenges with sensitivity, making it a thoughtful introduction to historical immigration experiences.
Why we rated The price of freedom 8ME
The price of freedom is written at a Level 3 reading level across 64 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The price of freedom works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The price of freedom as 8ME ("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 price of freedom explores irish americans, emigration and immigration, immigrants, indentured servants, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about irish americans, emigration and immigration, immigrants.
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
8ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0756900859
- Pages
- 64
- Publisher
- Cover-To-Cover Books
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction