Chasers
Phelan, James
Chasers
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Phelan, James
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
The sharp scent of smoke fills the air as Jesse crawls out of the subway wreckage, blinking at a city turned to ash. Silence replaces the usual buzz of New York, but something darker stirs beneath the stillness. Surrounded by danger and strangers, Jesse must find a way to survive in a world that’s suddenly become a nightmare.
Quick Assessment
Chasers is a middle-grade survival fiction novel about Jesse, a boy who wakes to find New York City devastated by a mysterious disaster. Along with new friends, he faces infected humans exhibiting violent behavior while trying to stay alive and escape. The story contains themes of survival and danger appropriate for ages 9-12, with some intense scenes of peril and suspense.
Why we rated Chasers 11ME
Chasers is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chasers works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chasers 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Chasers explores survival, friendship, 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 survival, friendship, adventure.
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
11ME — 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Fire & ash
Jonathan Maberry
Fire & ash
Jonathan Maberry
Chase
D. W. James
Chase
D. W. James
The survivor
James Herbert
The survivor
James Herbert
Chase
Linwood Barclay
Chase
Linwood Barclay
Chased by Death
Carel Wiemers
Chased by Death
Carel Wiemers
Dark inside
Jeyn Roberts
Dark inside
Jeyn Roberts
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781306678520
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Kensington Publishing Corp.
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction