On a Slippery Slope
Melody Fitzpatrick
On a Slippery Slope
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Hannah Smart
by Melody Fitzpatrick
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if a tiny white lie about being a champion skier turns into a big, snowy mess? Hannah tries to keep up the act when a cute boy starts believing her story, but soon she’s juggling a TV job, a close call, and the pressure of a school ski trip. Can she keep her secret without everything falling apart?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of honesty, peer pressure, and self-identity as Hannah navigates the consequences of a small lie that grows out of control. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it touches lightly on themes of risk and responsibility but remains appropriate for its target audience. Parents should note the story includes a mild accident and moments of tension related to personal secrets.
Why we rated On a Slippery Slope 11LE
On a Slippery Slope is written at a Level 6 reading level across 216 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, On a Slippery Slope works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate On a Slippery Slope as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, On a Slippery Slope explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, and adventure — 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 friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781459731578
- Pages
- 216
- Publisher
- Dundurn
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction