Fatality
Caroline B. Cooney
Fatality
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Caroline B. Cooney
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
A high school diary holds secrets that could unlock the mystery behind a long-unsolved murder. As clues emerge, the pieces begin to fit together, leading to unexpected revelations and a thrilling investigation. Dive into a suspenseful tale where every entry brings the truth closer to light.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mystery, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Fatality 10ME
Fatality is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 198 pages (approximately 45,181 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fatality works for readers up to grade 7.7.
Read aloud, Fatality runs about 5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Fatality as 10ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mystery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Fatality explores mystery, detective, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, detective, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0439135249
- Pages
- 198
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 45,181
- Read-Aloud
- ~5h 1m
- Text Density
- Standard