The second escape of Arthur Cooper
Cynthia Stowe
The second escape of Arthur Cooper
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cynthia Stowe
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
The salty breeze carries whispers of danger as footsteps crunch on Nantucket’s shore. Arthur Cooper feels the weight of freedom just out of reach, but the warmth of a kind family nearby offers hope. Can safety last when shadowy figures are closing in?
Quick Assessment
Set in 1822 Nantucket, this historical fiction follows Arthur Cooper, a runaway slave seeking refuge with a Quaker family. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story sensitively explores themes of courage, family, and the fight for freedom, with mild tension related to pursuit by slave catchers.
Why we rated The second escape of Arthur Cooper 9ME
The second escape of Arthur Cooper is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The second escape of Arthur Cooper works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The second escape of Arthur Cooper 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 second escape of Arthur Cooper explores historical, family, social justice, and friendship — 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 historical, family, social justice.
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
- 0761450696
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Cavendish Square Publishing
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction