Fins
Randy Wayne White
Fins
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Sharks Incorporated Novel
by Randy Wayne White
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.
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About This Book
The boat rocks as Luke, Maribel, and Sabina scan the choppy waters for fins cutting through the waves. Suddenly, a shadow looms beneath the surface—are those poachers nearby? The kids must act fast, but will they be ready for what comes next?
Quick Assessment
Fins is a middle-grade adventure that combines environmental awareness with themes of friendship and courage. Set against the backdrop of Florida's shark migration, it follows three diverse kids working together to protect sharks from illegal poachers. The story is appropriate for ages 9-12 and includes mild peril related to wildlife conservation efforts.
Why we rated Fins 11LE
Fins is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fins works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Fins 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, Fins explores friendship, adventure, science & nature, and multicultural — 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 friendship, adventure, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781250244666
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Roaring Brook Press
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction