They called themselves the K.K.K.
Susan Campbell Bartoletti
They called themselves the K.K.K.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The Ku Klux Klan started as a secret club with a dangerous mission, and their story is more real and chilling than you might think. This book reveals the hidden truths behind their rise, showing why understanding history matters to everyone.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nonfiction book explores the origins and spread of the Ku Klux Klan in the American South using personal accounts and historical documents. Suitable for ages 9-12, it provides an important look at racism and hate groups in U.S. history, though parents should be aware the subject matter deals with sensitive and potentially disturbing themes.
Why we rated They called themselves the K.K.K. 9IS
They called themselves the K.K.K. is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 172 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, They called themselves the K.K.K. works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate They called themselves the K.K.K. as 9IS ("Intense — Social") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Racial Discrimination, Historical Violence.
Thematically, They called themselves the K.K.K. explores history, social justice, african american, united states, and juvenile nonfiction — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, social justice, african american.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IS — Intense — SocialHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780618440337
- Pages
- 172
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Nonfiction