This is the rope
Jacqueline Woodson
This is the rope
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story from the Great Migration
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by Ransome, James, illustrator
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here’s a surprising secret: a simple rope can hold a whole family's story! From jump rope games to packing for a big move, this rope ties three generations together through adventure and change. It shows how something small can carry big memories and help a family grow.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of an African American family's journey during the Great Migration, seen through the lens of a single rope passed down across generations. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it gently explores themes of family, history, and resilience while connecting past and present in a meaningful way. Parents should know it offers a thoughtful introduction to an important period in American history without intense or graphic content.
Why we rated This is the rope 6LE
This is the rope is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 30 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is the rope works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate This is the rope as 6LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, This is the rope explores family, history, african american experience, coming of age, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 family, history, african american experience.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780399239861
- Pages
- 30
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction