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Cliff hanger

Gloria Skurzynski

Cover of Cliff hanger

Cliff hanger

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Gloria Skurzynski

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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.

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About This Book

What secrets hide beneath the ancient cliffs of Mesa Verde? When a cougar attacks a hiker, Jack and Ashley find themselves tangled in a mystery that goes deeper than just wildlife danger. But what is Lucky hiding, and why does the night bring whispered calls that chill the spine?

Themes

Foster CareMysteryNational ParksAdventureNative American FolkloreFamily

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade mystery follows siblings Jack and Ashley as they navigate a cougar attack and uncover secrets tied to their new foster sibling, Lucky, in Mesa Verde National Park. The story blends elements of Native American folklore and natural science, providing educational insights alongside suspense. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging narrative with mild peril and themes of family and trust.

Why we rated Cliff hanger 9ME

Cliff hanger is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 147 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cliff hanger works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Cliff hanger as 9ME ("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, Cliff hanger explores foster care, mystery, national parks, adventure, and native american folklore — 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 foster care, mystery, national parks.

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

9ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

147 pages
ISBN
0792270363
Pages
147
Publisher
National Geographic Society
Published
1999
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Foster Home CareNational Parks and ReservesMystery and Detective StoriesMesa Verde National ParkDetective and Mystery Stories

Places

Mesa Verde National Park (Colo.)