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Flash Point

Sneed B. Collard

Cover of Flash Point

Flash Point

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Sneed B. Collard

Reading Level 4-5 9LN Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

Luther spends his afternoons helping a veterinarian care for birds of prey, learning about their strength and survival. When he starts to challenge the community's ideas about how the land should be used, he faces tough choices that could change his friendships and family bonds. This story explores courage, nature, and standing up for what you believe in.

Themes

Nature & the Natural WorldEmotions & FeelingsFriendshipFamilySocial Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include emotional: conflict with friends and family. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Flash Point 9LN

Flash Point is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 214 pages (approximately 47,956 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Flash Point works for readers up to grade 6.7.

Read aloud, Flash Point runs about 5.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Flash Point as 9LN ("Light — Neutral") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Conflict with Friends and Family.

Thematically, Flash Point explores nature & the natural world, emotions & feelings, friendship, family, and social justice — 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 nature & the natural world, emotions & feelings, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LN — Light — Neutral
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Emotional: Conflict with Friends and Family
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Narrative Pace
5
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

214 pages
47,956 words
5h 20m read-aloud
ISBN
1561453854
Pages
214
Publisher
Peachtree Publishing Company
Published
August 3, 2006
Type
Fiction
Word Count
47,956
Read-Aloud
~5h 20m
Text Density
Standard

Genres

Subjects

Nature & the Natural WorldTreesSocial IssuesEmotions & FeelingsYoung Adult FictionCommunity & NeighborhoodAdolescenceNatureAnimalsBirdsPeer PressureEnvironmentBirds of PreyEcology