Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!)
Penny Draper
Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Penny Draper
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here’s a secret: Henry Addison boards the grand Noronic cruise ship, unaware that danger is about to strike. As flames engulf the ship, Jack Gordon’s quick thinking might be the only hope for survival—but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel centers on the harrowing events surrounding the Great Lakes cruise ship Noronic fire, focusing on the characters Jack Gordon and Henry Addison. Suitable for middle to late teens, the story explores themes of disaster, courage, and survival. Parents should note some tense scenes involving fire and peril but no graphic violence.
Why we rated Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!) 9ME
Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!) as 9ME ("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 — 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, Peril at Pier Nine (Disaster Strikes!) explores historical, adventure, and survival — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, adventure, survival.
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
9ME — 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
- 9781550503760
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Coteau Books
- Published
- April 15, 2008
- Type
- Fiction