Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave
Jeanne Taylor Thomas
Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeanne Taylor Thomas
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The damp cave smells of earth and secrets, whispering tales of a time long gone. Suddenly, Kerry feels a strange power stirring inside him—a soul not his own, tied to a legendary Blackfoot Shaman. But dark forces lurk in the shadows, threatening to tear their worlds apart.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1950s Montana, this fantasy adventure follows 19-year-old Kerry McDaniels, who discovers he shares his soul with Moon Dancer, a Blackfoot Shaman from the past. Together, they must reclaim stolen mystical gifts from a dangerous demon to save themselves and Kerry’s beloved Nakiya. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story includes themes of cultural heritage and supernatural peril with moderate suspense.
Why we rated Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave 11ME
Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave is written at a Level 6 reading level across 278 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Supernatural Peril, Moderate Suspense.
Thematically, Kerry Mcdaniels and the Cave explores adventure, fantasy world-building, cultural heritage, friendship, and family — 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, fantasy world-building, cultural heritage.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781432772963
- Pages
- 278
- Publisher
- Outskirts Press, Incorporated
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction