Deck
Chasidey Ricks-Green
Deck
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Chasidey Ricks-Green
The text is written at a 5th 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
What if building a simple deck could help heal a broken heart? Ashton James and his Pop-Pop James spend their days crafting something special in the yard—a project that brings them closer and teaches lessons they'll never forget. But can their new creation help mend the pain they've been carrying?
Quick Assessment
Deck follows young Ashton James and his grandfather as they cope with a recent family loss by working together on a backyard project. This middle-grade fiction gently explores themes of grief, healing, and intergenerational bonding, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. The story offers a warm, hopeful perspective without intense emotional or physical content.
Why we rated Deck 10LE
Deck is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Deck works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Deck as 10LE ("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, Deck explores family, 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 family, coming of age, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9781962132237
- Publisher
- Amazon Publishing Labs
- Published
- 2023
- Type
- Fiction