Chasing the Moon
Penny Chamberlain
Chasing the Moon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Penny Chamberlain
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
Kit steps onto her dad's shiny new boat, the moonlight glinting on the water. She sees no fishing gear, only whispered plans and mysterious meetings under the stars. What secret is her father hiding, and why is she caught right in the middle?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Kit as she reconnects with her father after many years and stumbles upon a mysterious secret involving his new boat and night-time activities. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of family and intrigue without intense content. Parents should note the plot involves secrecy and mild suspense but contains nothing graphic or inappropriate.
Why we rated Chasing the Moon 11LE
Chasing the Moon 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, Chasing the Moon works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chasing the Moon 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, Chasing the Moon explores family, mystery, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, mystery, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A 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
- 9781550391572
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Winlaw, B.C. : Sono Nis Press
- Published
- September 25, 2006
- Type
- Fiction