Blown Away!
Joan Hiatt Harlow
Blown Away!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joan Hiatt Harlow
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 would you do if a fierce hurricane suddenly threatened your peaceful island summer? Thirteen-year-old Jake is enjoying sunny days and new friendships on Matacumbe Key, but dark clouds are rolling in fast. Can Jake and his friends weather the storm that could change everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1935 on Matacumbe Key, Florida, this middle-grade novel follows thirteen-year-old Jake as he navigates friendship and unexpected challenges during a summer hurricane. The story offers historical context alongside themes of resilience and community, suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the depiction of a natural disaster, which is handled with sensitivity appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Blown Away! 11LE
Blown Away! is written at a Level 6 reading level across 258 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blown Away! works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Blown Away! 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, Blown Away! explores historical, friendship, animals - dogs, coming of age, and adventure — 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 historical, friendship, animals - dogs.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416907817
- Pages
- 258
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- July 10, 2007
- Type
- Fiction