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Daredevils

Bill Condon

Cover of Daredevils

Daredevils

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Bill Condon

Reading Level 6 11ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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

Thorns might not have much time, but he's the bravest kid you'll meet — and he’s got a wild list of adventures to conquer. Jack, the cautious one, never thought he’d be a daredevil, but helping Thorns is about to change everything. Together, they discover what it really means to live boldly and fearlessly.

Themes

FriendshipCourageHappinessConduct of lifeJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores the deep friendship between two boys facing very different challenges. Thorns, who has limited time left, and Jack, his steady companion, embark on a heartfelt journey of courage, dreams, and joy. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story sensitively handles themes of mortality and friendship without graphic content.

Why we rated Daredevils 11ME

Daredevils is written at a Level 6 reading level across 212 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Daredevils works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Daredevils as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 mild intensity score.

Thematically, Daredevils explores friendship, courage, happiness, conduct of life, and juvenile fiction — 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 friendship, courage, happiness.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

212 pages
ISBN
9780702240607
Pages
212
Publisher
University of Queensland Press
Published
2007
Type
Fiction

Subjects

FriendshipCourageHappinessConduct of LifeSocial Issues