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Ash

David Harry Walker

Cover of Ash

Ash

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by David Harry Walker

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Ash sprints through the crumbling city streets, heart pounding as shadows chase behind him. He clutches a secret that could change everything, but danger is closing in fast. Will Ash escape before it's too late?

Themes

AdventureCourageResilienceMiddle Grade Fiction

Quick Assessment

Ash is a middle-grade fiction novel suitable for readers aged 9-12, featuring an action-packed story with themes of adventure and suspense. The book contains mild peril appropriate for this age group and encourages critical thinking about courage and resilience. Parents can expect an engaging narrative without intense violence or mature content.

Why we rated Ash 11LP

Ash is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ash works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Ash as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Ash explores adventure, courage, resilience, and middle grade 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 adventure, courage, resilience.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
2
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
0002210428
Pages
256
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
1976
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Fiction in English

Places

Canada