Paralysed
Sherry Ashworth
Paralysed
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sherry Ashworth
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp crack of the rugby ball echoes across the field, but then everything changes. Simon feels a sudden stillness where movement once was, and a thousand questions swirl in his mind. How will life be different now, and what will happen with Emma?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the challenges faced by Simon after a rugby accident leaves him paralysed, focusing on themes of friendship, young love, and adjusting to sudden disability. Suitable for ages 13-18, it sensitively handles social issues related to special needs without graphic content, making it appropriate for teens navigating complex emotional and social topics.
Why we rated Paralysed 12ME
Paralysed is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Paralysed works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Paralysed 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, social complexity — 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, Paralysed explores friendship, special needs, coming of age, family, and social issues — 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 friendship, special needs, coming of age.
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
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416900948
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster UK Young Adult
- Published
- September 1, 2007
- Type
- Fiction