Washington
Daniel E. Harmon
Washington
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Daniel E. Harmon
United States: Past and Present
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Explore the fascinating state of Washington through its rich history, diverse geography, and vibrant communities. Discover how its government works, what drives its economy, and meet the people who call this state home. A captivating journey that brings Washington to life for curious young readers.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7-8 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Washington 12C
Washington is written at a Level 7-8 reading level across 50 pages (approximately 6,458 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Washington works for readers up to grade 9.2.
Read aloud, Washington takes about 43 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Washington as 12C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Washington explores science & nature, historical, and geography — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, historical, geography.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the United States: Past and Present series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the United States: Past and Present Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781435852952
- Pages
- 50
- Publisher
- The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 6,458
- Read-Aloud
- ~43 min
- Text Density
- Light Text