Tried and True
John Demos
Tried and True
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Native American Women Confronting Colonization
by John Demos
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Native American women lived through huge changes when new settlers arrived, and their stories are often left untold. Discover how their lives transformed in ways you never imagined, but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction book explores the significant impact of colonization on Native American women, providing a thoughtful look at cultural change and resilience. Appropriate for teens ages 13-18, it offers an accessible introduction to complex historical themes without graphic content.
Why we rated Tried and True 9LE
Tried and True is written at a Level 4-5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tried and True works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Tried and True as 9LE ("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, Tried and True explores historical, multicultural, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 historical, multicultural, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
- ISBN
- 9780613089517
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction