A minus tide
Robin Beeman
A minus tide
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Novella
by Robin Beeman
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if a mysterious accident revealed secrets no one expected? Imagine a small town where hidden stories come to light like treasures uncovered at low tide. But as the truth unfolds, everyone’s choices could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This novella explores complex adult relationships and themes such as responsibility, forgiveness, and love through interconnected narratives. While the reading level is suitable for early readers, the mature subject matter and emotional depth make it more appropriate for older teens and adults. Parents should be aware of themes involving death, illicit affairs, and emotional complexity.
Why we rated A minus tide 8IE
A minus tide is written at a Level 3 reading level across 91 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A minus tide works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate A minus tide as 8IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death, Illicit Affairs, Emotional Complexity.
Thematically, A minus tide explores family, romance, and moral complexity — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, romance, moral complexity.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 5-8 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780811810906
- Pages
- 91
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books (CA)
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Fiction