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Code Red

Chris Ryan

Cover of Code Red

Code Red

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Flash Flood CD

by Chris Ryan

Reading Level 6 11MP Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

What if a peaceful week of birdwatching turns into a daring adventure? Imagine spotting a rare Hen Harrier, only to see it shot down by someone in uniform. Now, caught in a secret military mystery, Ben and Annie must escape before a dangerous weapon changes everything.

Themes

AdventureEnvironmental AwarenessMysteryFamily

Quick Assessment

This young adult action-adventure follows Ben and his cousin Annie as they uncover a secret military operation while birdwatching. Suitable for ages 13 and up, the story involves mild peril and themes of environmental protection and secrecy. Parents should note some suspenseful scenes involving danger and captivity.

Why we rated Code Red 11MP

Code Red is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Code Red works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Code Red as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Physical Danger.

Thematically, Code Red explores adventure, environmental awareness, mystery, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Kids drawn to stories about adventure, environmental awareness, mystery.

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

11MP — Moderate — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

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

Content Flags

Mild Peril Physical Danger
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
5
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

288 pages
ISBN
9781846576720
Pages
288
Publisher
Doubleday Children's
Published
September 25, 2007
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Action & AdventureYoung Adult Fiction