Deep Six
Clive Cussler
Deep Six
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Clive Cussler
The text is written at a 8th 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
Salt air stings your nose as waves crash against a ghostly ship drifting silently in the cold northern Pacific. Suddenly, a fire lights up the night sky, turning a luxury liner into a blazing funeral pyre. Amid this chaos, a powerful secret threatens to swallow the ocean—and a brave hero must dive deep to stop it all.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Deep Six is an action-packed adventure featuring Dirk Pitt as he confronts a dangerous plot involving poisoned ocean waters, a mysterious ghost ship, and the disappearance of the President. Suitable for middle-grade readers, this thriller includes suspenseful scenes of peril and international intrigue but avoids graphic content, making it appropriate for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of tense moments and complex themes of espionage.
Why we rated Deep Six 12MP
Deep Six is written at a Level 8 reading level across 470 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Deep Six works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Deep Six as 12MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from 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, Deep Six explores adventure, espionage, and action & adventure — 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, espionage, action & adventure.
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
12MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780785789413
- Pages
- 470
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction