Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863
Laurie Calkhoven
Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laurie Calkhoven
The text is written at a 6th 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
Will is not just a kid—he’s the heart of Gettysburg’s fiercest battle. When armies clash right in his backyard, his dream to drum for the Union turns into a fight for survival. What happens next will change his life—and history—forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction follows twelve-year-old Will during the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Set in a realistic and educational context, it includes historical notes, a glossary, and a timeline, making it suitable for ages 9-12. The story handles war-related themes with sensitivity appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 11ME
Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 230 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Will at the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 explores historical, coming of age, family, and war & conflict — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 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, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545400350
- Pages
- 230
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction