Loss of the Burying Ground
J. Anderson Coats
Loss of the Burying Ground
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by J. Anderson Coats
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Salt stings your skin and the roar of waves crashes all around. Two girls from countries at war wash up on a lonely island, their only chance to survive is to trust each other. Can they find peace in a world built on conflict and danger?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows two teen girls from opposing nations who survive a shipwreck and must cooperate to survive on a remote island. The story explores themes of war, trust, identity, and the hope for peace, suitable for ages 13 and up due to its mature themes of conflict and survival. Parents should note the presence of political tension, dangerous situations, and complex emotional growth.
Why we rated Loss of the Burying Ground 11ME
Loss of the Burying Ground is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Loss of the Burying Ground works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Loss of the Burying Ground 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Loss of the Burying Ground explores young adult fiction, action & adventure, survival, fantasy, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about young adult fiction, action & adventure, survival.
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.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
A Faraway Island
Annika Thor
A Faraway Island
Annika Thor
Can You Survive Being Lost at Sea?
Allison Lassieur
Can You Survive Being Lost at Sea?
Allison Lassieur
Lost at sea.
Kate William
Lost at sea.
Kate William
The lost souls of Island X
Rachell Delaney
The lost souls of Island X
Rachell Delaney
Survival
Gordon Korman
Survival
Gordon Korman
Burial grounds
Rachel Lynette
Burial grounds
Rachel Lynette
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781536232387
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press (MA)
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction