The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5)
Nancy Rue (undifferentiated)
The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Nancy Rue (undifferentiated)
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Josiah races through the crowded streets of Salem Village, clutching a small bundle in his arms. The angry voices grow louder, and shadows loom as the townsfolk close in. Will Josiah find help before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1691 Salem Village, this historical fiction follows young Josiah Hutchinson as he navigates community tensions while helping a beggar woman and her child. The story emphasizes themes of family, friendship, and faith in a Christian context appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note the historical setting includes social conflict but presents it in a way suitable for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5) 11LE
The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5) works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5) as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Samaritan (Christian Heritage Series: The Salem Years #5) explores religious - christian, historical, family, 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 religious - christian, historical, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781400309535
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Thomas Nelson
- Published
- September 5, 2006
- Type
- Fiction