Gone Away Lake
Elizabeth Enright
Gone Away Lake
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elizabeth Enright
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Portia and Julian sneak through thick reeds, their hearts pounding as the sun dips low over Gone Away Lake. Suddenly, a creaky porch swings open on an abandoned summer house, revealing a mysterious shadow inside. What secrets will they uncover in this forgotten place?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows cousins Portia and Julian as they explore an abandoned summer colony by a swampy lake, uncovering mysteries and forging a special bond. The story offers gentle adventure and themes of family connection suitable for ages 9-12, with no intense content to worry about.
Why we rated Gone Away Lake 11C
Gone Away Lake is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gone Away Lake works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Gone Away Lake as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Gone Away Lake explores adventure, family, and friendship — 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 adventure, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780606276856
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- March 2000
- Type
- Fiction