Pacifica
Kristen Simmons
Pacifica
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kristen Simmons
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if a lottery promised a fresh start on a beautiful island paradise, but the truth was far darker? Marin Carey knows the ocean's secrets—her family are pirates, and paradise might just be a lie. Now, she must uncover the real destination of the First Five Hundred before it's too late.
Quick Assessment
Pacifica is a middle-grade science fiction adventure set in a dystopian future where a group of children are chosen to leave their polluted world for a mysterious island. The story explores themes of trust, survival, and uncovering hidden truths, with some mild peril and complex world-building suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of adventurous conflict and suspense but no graphic content.
Why we rated Pacifica 12ME
Pacifica is written at a Level 7 reading level across 381 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pacifica works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Pacifica as 12ME ("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, 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, Pacifica explores science & nature, adventure, pirates, friendship, and coming of age — 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 science & nature, adventure, pirates.
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
12ME — 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
2/10A 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
- 9780765336637
- Pages
- 381
- Publisher
- Tor
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction