Dangerous ground
Gloria Skurzynski
Dangerous ground
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gloria Skurzynski
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: Great-aunt Hil seems to be hiding something in the wilds of Yellowstone. Eleven-year-old Angela notices her acting strangely, but what’s really going on? And that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores the relationship between a young girl and her elderly great-aunt during a final trip to Yellowstone National Park. It sensitively addresses themes of aging and memory loss, making it suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should be aware that the story touches on concerns about mental decline but does so in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Dangerous ground 9LE
Dangerous ground is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dangerous ground works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Dangerous ground 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, Dangerous ground explores old age, family, adventure, and nature — 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 old age, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
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
- 0027827313
- Pages
- 152
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1989
- Type
- Fiction