Cup of Death
Shannon Gilligan
Cup of Death
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Choose Your Own Adventure #13 (Choose Your Own Adventure)
by Shannon Gilligan
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here's a secret: a priceless tea bowl called 'Yukisoo' has vanished from a famous tea school in Japan. Now, every step you take through the streets of Kyoto could bring you closer to uncovering the mystery. But that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows a young protagonist on a thrilling search across Kyoto after the theft of a valuable tea ceremony bowl. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines cultural elements with an engaging mystery, encouraging curiosity and problem-solving. Parents should note it contains mild suspense typical for action-adventure fiction at this reading level.
Why we rated Cup of Death 9LE
Cup of Death is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cup of Death works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Cup of Death as 9LE ("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, Cup of Death explores adventure, mystery, and cultural exploration — 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 adventure, mystery, cultural exploration.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781933390703
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Chooseco
- Published
- November 1, 2006
- Type
- Fiction