Below
Megan McKinlay
Below
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Megan McKinlay
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever wondered what secrets lie beneath a deep, silent lake? Cassie was born the day her town was flooded, swallowing up a whole city, and now, twelve years later, she can’t stay away from the water. But when she and her mysterious classmate Liam start swimming in the forbidden lake, they uncover shadows darker than the depths beneath them.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Below is a middle-grade novel centered around Cassie, a girl drawn to a manmade lake that covers an extinct town. Alongside a classmate with a troubled past, she explores the lake and uncovers hidden secrets, blending themes of mystery and community history. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes discussions of drowning and emotional scars but handles them with sensitivity appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Below 11ME
Below is written at a Level 6 reading level across 218 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Below works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Below as 11ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Drowning.
Thematically, Below explores friendship, mystery, family, adventure, and lakes — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, mystery, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Under the Waterfall
Susannah Brin
Under the Waterfall
Susannah Brin
Above World
Jenn Reese
Above World
Jenn Reese
Above
Leah Bobet
Above
Leah Bobet
Lakes
Emma Carlson Berne
Lakes
Emma Carlson Berne
Below
Nina Crews
Below
Nina Crews
Lonely Below
G. haron davis
Lonely Below
G. haron davis
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763661267
- Pages
- 218
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction