Behind the Blue
Jeff Schilling
Behind the Blue
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeff Schilling
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
Katherine steps cautiously through the shadowy woods when suddenly, a mysterious figure known as the Blue Man appears, demanding help to recover his stolen treasures. Without a second thought, she agrees and is whisked away to a city where puddles lead to secret worlds filled with dragons soaring high above and indoor forests hiding incredible secrets. But when her reluctant guide tries to run away and danger closes in, Katherine realizes this mission might be more than she bargained for.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure blends elements of fantasy and science fiction as Katherine embarks on a quest to retrieve stolen magical items for a mysterious figure called the Blue Man. The story contains imaginative world-building with fantasy creatures and settings, suitable for children ages 9 to 12. Parents should note themes of adventure and mild peril, but the content remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Behind the Blue 11LP
Behind the Blue is written at a Level 6 reading level across 210 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Behind the Blue works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Behind the Blue 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, Behind the Blue explores adventure, fantasy world-building, science & nature, and friendship — 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, fantasy world-building, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780595361892
- Pages
- 210
- Publisher
- iUniverse, Inc.
- Published
- July 15, 2005
- Type
- Fiction