Leaving Protection
Will Hobbs
Leaving Protection
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Will Hobbs
The text is written at a 4th 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 salty spray of the sea stings Robbie’s face as the fishing boat rocks beneath his feet. Every dawn, he battles the wild waters to catch shimmering king salmon, living a dream bigger than the endless ocean. But when a dark secret surfaces, the calm waves turn into a roaring storm—will Robbie’s courage hold fast?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in the rugged coastal world of southeast Alaska, this middle-grade novel follows sixteen-year-old Robbie as he embarks on a thrilling adventure aboard a salmon fishing boat. The story explores themes of friendship, bravery, and moral choices when Robbie uncovers his captain’s illegal treasure hunt. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book includes mild peril and suspense that are handled thoughtfully.
Why we rated Leaving Protection 9ME
Leaving Protection is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 178 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Leaving Protection works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Leaving Protection as 9ME ("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: Mild Peril, Suspense.
Thematically, Leaving Protection explores adventure, friendship, family, coming of age, and treasure hunting — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, family.
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
9ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780380733125
- Pages
- 178
- Publisher
- Harper Collins
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction