Max Tilt
Peter Lerangis
Max Tilt
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Fire the Depths
by Peter Lerangis
The text is written at a 7th 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
The salty spray of ocean waves crashes against your skin as you dive deep into a forgotten underwater city. Every shadow hides a secret, and every clue brings you closer to a treasure that could change everything. But danger lurks in the form of a mysterious stranger—who will reach the treasure first?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Max Tilt is an exciting middle-grade adventure about a thirteen-year-old boy who discovers his ancestor Jules Verne’s lost manuscript, revealing clues to a hidden treasure. Facing family struggles, Max embarks on a thrilling quest that takes him through perilous underwater ruins and encounters with dangerous creatures. Suitable for ages 9-12, this book combines adventure and mystery without intense violence, making it an engaging read for young readers.
Why we rated Max Tilt 12LP
Max Tilt is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Max Tilt works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Max Tilt as 12LP ("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, Max Tilt explores adventure, family, friendship, buried treasure, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780062441010
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction