Chasing power
Sarah Beth Durst
Chasing power
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Beth Durst
The text is written at a 7th 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
There’s a secret hidden in every shadow of the town, and only the bravest can uncover it. When a mysterious power slips through the cracks, everything you think you know starts to change—but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Chasing Power is a middle-grade mystery thriller suitable for readers aged 9-12, exploring themes like detective work, shoplifting, and single-parent families. The story offers suspense and intrigue while handling juvenile issues thoughtfully, making it an engaging yet age-appropriate read for young mystery fans.
Why we rated Chasing power 12LE
Chasing power is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chasing power works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Chasing power as 12LE ("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, Chasing power explores mystery, detective, family, and juvenile fiction — 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 mystery, detective, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780802737557
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction