Bargains and betrayals
Shannon Delany
Bargains and betrayals
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A 13 to Life Novel
by Shannon Delany
The text is written at a 7th 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
Here’s a secret: Jessie isn’t just trapped—she’s caught in a web of shadows where trust is a rare treasure. Pietr’s fighting hard to hold on to their love, but he’s hiding a dangerous promise that could change everything. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Jessie, who is confined in a mysterious place called Pecan Place, uncovering unsettling truths about a secretive group. The story explores themes of supernatural elements and complex interpersonal relationships, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of suspense, mild peril, and themes involving betrayal and loyalty.
Why we rated Bargains and betrayals 12ME
Bargains and betrayals is written at a Level 7 reading level across 306 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bargains and betrayals works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Bargains and betrayals 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Bargains and betrayals explores werewolves, interpersonal relations, supernatural, secrets, and mafia — 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 werewolves, interpersonal relations, supernatural.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Based on content and theme analysis
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780312609160
- Pages
- 306
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Griffin
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction