What reading level is To Be a Slave (Point)?

To Be a Slave (Point) by Julius Lester is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is To Be a Slave (Point) appropriate for?

To Be a Slave (Point) is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Slavery, Harsh Historical Realities.

What genre is To Be a Slave (Point)?

To Be a Slave (Point) is nonfiction — History.

Does To Be a Slave (Point) have any content warnings?

To Be a Slave (Point) has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Slavery, Harsh Historical Realities. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is To Be a Slave (Point)?

To Be a Slave (Point) by Julius Lester is 160 pages.

To Be a Slave (Point)

Julius Lester

To Be a Slave (Point)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Julius Lester

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

This book reveals stories of bravery and hardship that history often hides. Slaves faced unimaginable challenges but held onto hope and dreams of freedom. These powerful voices show why their stories still matter today.

Themes

Historical Social Justice Coming of AgeUnited States

Quick Assessment

This book offers a compelling, age-appropriate account of slavery through firsthand narratives from slaves and former slaves. It provides historical context with illustrations, helping teens understand the harsh realities and resilience of those who endured slavery. Suitable for ages 13-18, it handles difficult topics with care but contains mature themes related to oppression and injustice.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9IE — Intense — Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Intense

Thematic

Moderate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Slavery Harsh Historical Realities

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

160 pages

ISBN: 9780590329231
Pages: 160
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Published: June 1985
Type: Nonfiction

Genres

History

Subjects

United StatesYoung AdultSlavesAfro-AmericansConditions of SlavesSocial ConditionsSlave TradeQuotationsSlaveryCondition of SlavesPersonal NarrativesNewbery HonorSlavery, United StatesSlaves, United States, Social ConditionsBlacks, HistoryAfrican Americans, HistoryAfrican Americans, LanguagesNarrativeEnslaved Persons, United States, Social Conditions

People

Josiah HensonThomas JeffersonAbraham Lincoln

Places

United StatesAfrica