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Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets

T. S. Koelling

Cover of Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets

Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by T. S. Koelling

Reading Level 7 12ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th 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

The sharp clang of swords echoes through the air as Cody steps onto the misty training grounds, where water ripples beneath his feet and shadows flicker without darkness. In a place where walking and talking are forbidden, and night never brings true darkness, Cody must face challenges that test his courage and heart. But the biggest mystery is this: if he has already died, what future awaits him?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows Cody Carpenter as he navigates a mysterious world where normal rules don’t apply, including an academy filled with unusual challenges and a destiny that involves life and death. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines action with themes of bravery and self-discovery. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and supernatural elements that may prompt questions about mortality.

Why we rated Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets 12ME

Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets works for readers up to grade 9.0.

We rate Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Cody Carpenter and the Lamsgate Cadets explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, and friendship — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Moderate

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

2/10

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
6
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

320 pages
ISBN
9781953912558
Pages
320
Publisher
Words Matter Publishing
Published
2022
Type
Fiction