The steep & thorny way

Cat Winters

Cover of The steep & thorny way

The steep & thorny way

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cat Winters

Reading Level 5-6 Intense (Lvl 4) Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

In 1920s rural Oregon, a determined sixteen-year-old girl of mixed heritage bravely seeks answers about her father’s mysterious death. As she unravels dark secrets, she must navigate the dangers posed by the threatening presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Her courage shines through a haunting journey filled with history and resilience.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include racial discrimination, murder, physical danger. Written for readers ages 13+.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 4 — Intense
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Racial Discrimination Murder Physical Danger Fear & Anxiety
Data confidence: high

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

5/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
8
Narrative Pace
5
Theme Richness
9
World Scope
5
Data Confidence
6

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Details

Book Length

335 pages
76,045 words
8h 27m read-aloud
ISBN
9781419719158
Pages
335
Published
2016
Type
Fiction
Word Count
76,045
Lexile
880L
Read-Aloud
~8h 27m
Text Density
Standard

Subjects

Horror & Ghost StoriesMurderRacially Mixed PeopleHistoricalUnited States20th CenturyPrejudicesGhost StoriesSocial IssuesPrejudice & RacismGhostsOregon

Places

Oregon