CODENAME
Ned Bannister
CODENAME
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Sand Castle
by Ned Bannister
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The cadets sneak through dense jungle shadows, hearts pounding as they approach the secret island compound. Suddenly, alarms blare—have they been discovered? The race to find the hidden gold has just begun.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This adventurous novel follows a group of cadets tasked with infiltrating a secret island compound to uncover a corrupt general's hidden gold supply. Suitable for teens, it features themes of espionage and adventure with mild peril but no graphic content. Parents can expect a suspenseful tale appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Why we rated CODENAME 9LP
CODENAME is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 133 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, CODENAME works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate CODENAME as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, CODENAME explores adventure, espionage, friendship, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, espionage, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
- 9780345351166
- Pages
- 133
- Publisher
- Ballantine Books
- Published
- December 13, 1988
- Type
- Fiction