At the shores
Thomas Rogers
At the shores
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Thomas Rogers
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
What happens when a boy stands at the edge of a vast, mysterious lake, unsure of who he’s becoming? On the windswept shores of Lake Michigan in the 1940s, every wave hides a secret and every sunset promises change. Can he find his place before the tides pull him away?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1940s Michigan, this coming-of-age novel follows a young boy navigating the challenges of growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of identity and self-discovery without intense content. Parents can expect a reflective story that gently touches on personal growth and regional history.
Why we rated At the shores 11LE
At the shores is written at a Level 6 reading level across 284 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, At the shores works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate At the shores 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, At the shores explores coming of age, family, adventure, historical, and nature — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, adventure.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 067124969X
- Pages
- 284
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Published
- 1980
- Type
- Fiction