This Is Our Story
Edward D. Hernandez
This Is Our Story
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward D. Hernandez
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 soft rustle of turning pages fills the quiet room where Dee and I sit side by side, searching for hope in ancient words. Her gentle voice brings the stories of the Bible to life, wrapping me in a warm feeling of faith and friendship. Together, we discover a strength that shines brightest even in the darkest moments.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction novel explores the inspiring true-to-life story of Amparo Hernandez, known as Dee, whose faith and courage help her overcome severe personal hardships including abuse and financial struggles. The book highlights Christian themes of salvation, resilience, and the transformative power of faith, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can appreciate stories of overcoming adversity through spiritual strength. Parents should note the mature themes of domestic abuse are approached with sensitivity and framed within a message of hope and redemption.
Why we rated This Is Our Story 9IE
This Is Our Story is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This Is Our Story works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate This Is Our Story 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Domestic Abuse.
Thematically, This Is Our Story explores christian biography, family, faith & spirituality, and overcoming adversity — 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 christian biography, family, faith & spirituality.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
Content Flags
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
- 9781460002292
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Guardian Books
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Nonfiction