A certain kind of treasure
Kellene Despain
A certain kind of treasure
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kellene Despain
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
This isn’t just a treasure hunt — it’s a journey into the unknown where friendship can cross worlds. When a fight splits two friends apart, one finds herself connected to a mysterious old woman who isn’t from this planet. What happens next could change everything they thought they knew about friendship and adventure.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel explores themes of friendship, conflict, and discovery through the story of two friends searching for buried treasure. After a disagreement, one girl forms a surprising friendship with an alien woman, introducing gentle sci-fi elements appropriate for ages 9 to 12. The book handles interpersonal struggles and otherworldly encounters with warmth and imagination.
Why we rated A certain kind of treasure 11LE
A certain kind of treasure is written at a Level 6 reading level across 215 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A certain kind of treasure works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate A certain kind of treasure as 11LE ("Light — 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, A certain kind of treasure explores friendship, sisters, buried treasure, human-alien encounters, and science fiction — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sisters, buried treasure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0967904609
- Pages
- 215
- Publisher
- Gray House Books
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction