Cover of Letters from a Slave Boy

Letters from a Slave Boy

by Mary E. Lyons

Reading Level 4-5 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 9-12

The text is written at a 4th 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

Experience the journey of Joseph Jacobs, a young boy born into slavery, through heartfelt letters that reveal his life from the fields of North Carolina to the bustling ports of New England and the rush of California’s goldfields. These letters capture his hopes, struggles, and adventures as he seeks freedom and a new life in a changing America. This powerful story brings history to life through the eyes of a courageous boy navigating a world full of challenges and dreams.

Representation & Themes

HistoricalFamilyComing of AgeAdventureSocial Justice

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

Historical Slavery Emotional: Fear & Anxiety Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery Social: Poverty & Hardship
Data confidence: standard

Details

ISBN
9780689878671
Pages
208
Published
9 January 2007
Type
Fiction
Word Count
34,561

Genres

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

LettersHistorical - United States - 19th CenturyHistorical Fiction (Young Adult)Juvenile FictionChildren's Books - Young Adult FictionSocial Issues - Prejudice & RacismChildren: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)SlaveryBiographical - United StatesPeople & Places - United States - African-AmericanJuvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th CenturyChildren's 12-Up - Fiction - HistoryAfrican AmericansFiction