Lily and the Bridge
John Gibb
Lily and the Bridge
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by John Gibb
The text is written at a 5th 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
Lily plunges beneath the waves, heart pounding as the shadow of a sleek shark glides closer beneath the old bridge. The water teems with strange and wonderful creatures, but this moment feels different—exciting and a little bit scary. What will happen next as Lily faces her bravest underwater adventure yet?
Quick Assessment
This illustrated middle-grade adventure follows Lily, a spirited young diver passionate about ocean life, especially sharks. Set around a unique dive site at an underwater bridge, the story offers excitement and educational insights about marine creatures. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines engaging storytelling with vivid black-and-white illustrations that foster a love of the sea without intense peril.
Why we rated Lily and the Bridge 10LP
Lily and the Bridge is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lily and the Bridge works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Lily and the Bridge as 10LP ("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, Lily and the Bridge explores adventure, science & nature, 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, science & nature, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — 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
- ISBN
- 9798985997590
- Publisher
- Sleepy Dog Editions
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction