Night of the living shadows
Dave Coverly
Night of the living shadows
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a Speed Bump & Slingshot misadventure
by Dave Coverly
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Speed Bump is the most determined Bird Scout you’ll ever meet — and nothing, not even a shopping mall full of shadows, can stop him! When he and his laid-back friend Slingshot get stuck during their scavenger hunt, the real adventure begins. Can they turn a tricky trap into their greatest victory?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader follows two young scouts on a humorous treasure hunt within a shopping mall. Designed for ages 5-8 and at a Grade 1.5 reading level, it combines light suspense with themes of friendship and problem-solving. The story is free of intense content, making it suitable for young readers.
Why we rated Night of the living shadows 6C
Night of the living shadows is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 121 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Night of the living shadows works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Night of the living shadows as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Night of the living shadows explores adventure, friendship, humor, scouting, and treasure hunt — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780805088878
- Pages
- 121
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction