A ship is dying
Brian Callison
A ship is dying
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Brian Callison
The text is written at a 6th 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
Salt sprays the cold air as the Lycomedes groans under the pounding waves, its timbers creaking like a giant in pain. The sea is fierce and unforgiving, ready to swallow the ship whole in just minutes. Courage and fear clash in the hearts of the crew as they face a moment that will change their lives forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction novel tells the gripping story of the Lycomedes, a ship facing imminent destruction in the North Sea. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of bravery, fear, and survival under extreme conditions. Parents should be aware of intense moments of peril and emotional tension as the crew confronts life-threatening challenges.
Why we rated A ship is dying 11ME
A ship is dying is written at a Level 6 reading level across 222 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A ship is dying works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate A ship is dying as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, A ship is dying explores adventure, survival, friendship, and courage — 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 adventure, survival, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0002224615
- Pages
- 222
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction