Follow the blue
Brigid Lowry
Follow the blue
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Brigid Lowry
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
Bec slips out the back door, heart pounding as the summer sun blazes overhead. Her parents are gone, and for once, she’s not playing it safe—she’s chasing every wild impulse that sparks her curiosity. But when a sudden noise breaks the quiet, everything changes in an instant.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Bec during a pivotal summer in Perth, Australia, when she decides to embrace her adventurous side while her parents are away. The story explores themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and growing up, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note the book addresses emotional challenges, including a family member’s mental health recovery, with sensitivity.
Why we rated Follow the blue 11LE
Follow the blue is written at a Level 6 reading level across 205 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Follow the blue works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Follow the blue 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, Follow the blue explores family, coming of age, self-discovery, and sibling relationships — 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 family, coming of age, self-discovery.
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
1/10A 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
- 186508400X
- Pages
- 205
- Publisher
- Allen & Unwin
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction