Island
Gordon Korman
Island
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Shipwreck
by Gordon Korman
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
Waves crash all around as six kids cling to the wreckage, stranded in the vast Pacific Ocean. They scramble to find shelter on a mysterious island, but danger lurks just beyond the trees. What will they do when the island’s secrets start to unravel?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows six children who are shipwrecked on a deserted Pacific island, where they must work together to survive and uncover hidden dangers. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of teamwork, courage, and resilience, with some mild peril typical of survival stories. Parents should note the presence of action and suspense but no graphic content.
Why we rated Island 9LP
Island is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 129 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Island works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Island as 9LP ("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, Island explores adventure, friendship, survival, and coming of age — 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, friendship, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
- 9780439164566
- Pages
- 129
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction