The statue in the harbor
Jeffrey Eger
The statue in the harbor
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story of Two Apprentices
by Jeffrey Eger
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Did you know a ten-year-old helped build one of the most famous statues in the world? Philippe works alongside his father, shaping copper for the Statue of Liberty in a bustling Paris foundry. His adventures there will change his life forever—and maybe yours too.
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows ten-year-old Philippe as he apprentices with his father in the Paris foundry where the Statue of Liberty is being made. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it offers an engaging introduction to history through the eyes of a child involved in a monumental project. The story contains no intense content, making it appropriate for ages 9-12.
Why we rated The statue in the harbor 9C
The statue in the harbor is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 124 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The statue in the harbor works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The statue in the harbor as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The statue in the harbor explores historical, family, and coming of age — 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 historical, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 0382091469
- Pages
- 124
- Publisher
- Silver Burdett Press
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction