The Stratford devil
Claude Clayton Smith
The Stratford devil
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Claude Clayton Smith
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
This story reveals a dark secret from a long time ago when a tiny town was gripped by fear and suspicion. A woman named Goody Bassett was accused of something shocking—witchcraft—and faced a terrifying trial. What will happen when fear turns friends into enemies?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in colonial Connecticut, this historical fiction explores the tensions and fears within a Puritan settlement leading up to the 1651 witchcraft trial of Goody Bassett. Suitable for children ages 9-12, the book provides insight into early American history and the impact of superstition on communities. Parents should note the themes of fear, accusation, and historical injustice.
Why we rated The Stratford devil 9ME
The Stratford devil is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Stratford devil works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Stratford devil 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, thematic difficulty — 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 Stratford devil explores witchcraft, historical, puritan society, fear and suspicion, and justice and injustice — 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 witchcraft, historical, puritan society.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0802765440
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Walker & Company
- Published
- 1984
- Type
- Fiction