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Ishmael

Barbara Hambly

Cover of Ishmael

Ishmael

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Barbara Hambly

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

What if a spaceship could travel back in time? When a Klingon ship disappears into the past with Spock on board, the future hangs in the balance. Can the crew stop a dangerous plan to change history forever?

Quick Assessment

This young adult science fiction novel features time travel and interstellar adventure within the Star Trek universe. It explores themes of history, loyalty, and the consequences of altering the past. Recommended for readers aged 13 and up, the story involves moderate sci-fi action but contains no graphic content.

Why we rated Ishmael 11LP

Ishmael is written at a Level 6 reading level across 255 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ishmael works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Ishmael as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Ishmael explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, and fantasy world-building — 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.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, friendship.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

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

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

255 pages
ISBN
9780785747116
Pages
255
Publisher
Turtleback
Published
October 1999
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Science FictionStar TrekStar Trek FictionTime TravelKirkJames T.Spock