Unbound

Ann E. Burg

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Unbound

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ann E. Burg

Reading Level 5-6 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th 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

Nine-year-old Grace tries to stay quiet while working in the Big House kitchen, but witnessing the cruelty around her sparks courage she can't contain. When danger threatens to tear her family apart, they make a daring escape into the mysterious Dismal Swamp, seeking freedom among other runaway slaves. This powerful story reveals the strength of hope and the fight for liberty.

Themes

African American familiesFamilySlaverySurvivalHistorical

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include fear & anxiety, family change, physical danger. Written for readers ages 9-12.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 3 — Moderate
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Fear & Anxiety Family Change Physical Danger Racial Discrimination
Data confidence: high

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

6/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Narrative Pace
7
Theme Richness
9
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

345 pages
28,447 words
3h 10m read-aloud
ISBN
9780545934275
Pages
345
Published
2016
Type
Fiction
Word Count
28,447
Lexile
900L
Read-Aloud
~3h 10m
Text Density
Light Text

Genres

Subjects

African American FamiliesFamily LifeSlaveryFugitive SlavesSlavesAfrican AmericansNovels in Verse