These are my words
Ruby Slipperjack
These are my words
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
the residential school diary of Violet Pesheens
by Ruby Slipperjack
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 sharp scent of pine fills the air as Violet clutches her tattered notebook tight. Faces stare coldly at the new girl, and whispers echo through the halls of the strange school where names disappear like shadows at dusk. With every page she writes, Violet fights to hold onto her memories and the songs of her ancestors, but will they be enough to keep her spirit alive?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1966, this poignant middle-grade novel follows 12-year-old Violet Pesheens as she navigates the harsh realities of a residential school. The story sensitively explores themes of cultural loss, identity, and resilience through Violet's struggles and memories, providing a vital historical perspective appropriate for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the emotional depth and historical trauma depicted, which are handled with care but could prompt important conversations.
Why we rated These are my words 9IE
These are my words is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 186 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, These are my words works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate These are my words as 9IE ("Intense — 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, These are my words explores indigenous children, coming of age, family, historical, and social justice — 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 indigenous children, coming of age, family.
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
9IE — Intense — 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
- 9781443133180
- Pages
- 186
- Publisher
- Scholastic Canada Ltd.
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction