Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
With open hands
Jeri Ferris
With open hands
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeri Ferris
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
Discover the inspiring journey of Biddy Mason, who escaped slavery to build a new life in California. Through kindness and generosity, she healed her community and used her success to help others thrive. Her story shines as a powerful example of courage and compassion.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include historical slavery, emotional: loss & grief, social: poverty & hardship. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated With open hands LE (Mild)
With open hands is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 64 pages (approximately 8,706 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage With open hands on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, With open hands takes about 58 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate With open hands as LE (Mild, mostly 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Historical Slavery, Emotional: Loss & Grief, Social: Poverty & Hardship.
Thematically, With open hands explores historical, social justice, family, philanthropy, and african american history — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, social justice, family.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Carolrhoda Creative Minds series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Carolrhoda Creative Minds Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1575053306
- Pages
- 64
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 8,706
- Read-Aloud
- ~58 min
- Text Density
- Light Text