Disaster island
Roger Elwood
Disaster island
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Bartlett Brothers Adventure
by Roger Elwood
The text is written at a 4th 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
The ground rumbles beneath your feet, and the salty ocean breeze mixes with the sharp scent of smoke. Chad and Ryan’s vacation in Hawaii suddenly turns wild as a volcano erupts nearby, shaking the earth and sending waves crashing. Amid the chaos, a mysterious angel appears, making this adventure unforgettable and full of hope.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows brothers Chad and Ryan as their Hawaiian vacation is disrupted by a series of natural disasters, including a volcanic eruption, tidal wave, and earthquake. The story also incorporates elements of Christian faith through a dreamlike angel encounter, providing a mix of thrilling action and spiritual reflection suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the depiction of natural disasters is intense but appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Disaster island 9ME
Disaster island is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 115 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Disaster island works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Disaster island as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — 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, Disaster island explores brothers, natural disasters, adventure, christian life, and hawaii — 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 brothers, natural disasters, 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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
- 0849933609
- Pages
- 115
- Publisher
- W Publishing Group
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction