HootRated mascot HootRated

Dragon amber

Cecilia Busby

Cover of Dragon amber

Dragon amber

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cecilia Busby

Reading Level 6 11LE 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.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Simon and Cat dash through crowded city streets, their hearts pounding as shadows close in. The modern world is nothing like they expected—more dangerous, more mysterious. Meanwhile, Dora and Jem sneak behind the Druid, chasing whispers of dragons in the distant Empire of Akkad. What will they uncover next?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade adventure follows Simon, Cat, Dora, and Jem as they navigate between a modern world and a mystical kingdom. Filled with themes of friendship, bravery, and discovery, the story contains mild peril but remains suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of suspense and fantasy elements involving secretive characters and mythical creatures.

Why we rated Dragon amber 11LE

Dragon amber is written at a Level 6 reading level across 267 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dragon amber works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Dragon amber as 11LE ("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, Dragon amber explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and mystery — 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
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

3/10

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
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

267 pages
ISBN
9781783700578
Pages
267
Publisher
Deep Amber
Published
2014
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Adventure StoriesAdventure and AdventurersScience Fiction