Gray Mountain - Limited Edition
A Novel
by John Grisham
National Geographic Books 2014
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.1 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- corporate greed and accountability
- environmental justice and mountaintop removal mining
- whistleblowing and corruption
- legal ethics and pro bono service
- power imbalance and exploitation
- community resilience and small-town life
- personal reinvention after loss
- economic hardship during the Great Recession
- courage and moral responsibility
About this book
During the 2008 financial crisis, young Wall Street attorney Samantha Kofer is abruptly furloughed and sent to a legal-aid clinic in rural Appalachia. In the coalfields of Virginia, she confronts poverty, predatory corporations, and dangerous secrets tied to mountaintop removal mining. As she learns true courtroom grit and the stakes of pro bono work, Samantha is drawn into cases that pit ordinary people against powerful interests—and discovers a different future for herself.
Setting: 2008–2009; New York City and the Appalachian coal country around the fictional town of Brady, Virginia, with cases reaching into Kentucky and West Virginia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gray Mountain - Limited Edition right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Gray Mountain - Limited Edition. The reading level is AR 6.1, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include corporate greed and accountability, environmental justice and mountaintop removal mining, whistleblowing and corruption.
How long does it take to read Gray Mountain - Limited Edition?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Gray Mountain - Limited Edition takes around 12h to finish. The book has 125,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Gray Mountain - Limited Edition have an AR quiz?
Yes — Gray Mountain - Limited Edition has an AR quiz available, worth 16 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Gray Mountain - Limited Edition?
Gray Mountain - Limited Edition has an AR reading level of 6.1, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.