An answer in the tide
Elisabeth Ogilvie
An answer in the tide
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elisabeth Ogilvie
The text is written at a 8th 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
What happens when secrets ripple through a tight-knit island community? On Bennett's Island, everyone knows everyone else's story — or so they think. When Jamie's friendship with a mysterious newcomer stirs up old tensions, the peaceful tides might hide more than just fish.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a vividly portrayed Maine island community, this middle-grade novel explores themes of family, loyalty, and the challenges of growing up. The story follows Jamie Bennett as his friendship with a married newcomer causes conflict and danger within the close-knit community. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains some mature themes around relationships and community tensions that are handled thoughtfully.
Why we rated An answer in the tide 12ME
An answer in the tide is written at a Level 8 reading level across 527 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, An answer in the tide works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate An answer in the tide as 12ME ("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 — 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, An answer in the tide explores family, coming of age, community, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, community.
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
12ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0816167516
- Pages
- 527
- Publisher
- Macmillan Reference USA
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction