Predator's gold
Philip Reeve
Predator's gold
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Philip Reeve
The text is written at a 7th 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
Gunships roar overhead, rockets slicing through the sky as Tom and Hester race their scrapyard aircraft toward the icy city of Anchorage. The city blurs beneath them, a ghostly place shadowed by plague and secrets. But as Anchorage speeds toward the unknown Dead Continent, danger lurks closer than ever—what will they face next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Tom and Hester as they flee from hostile forces and seek refuge in the mysterious ice city of Anchorage. The story explores themes of survival and resilience amid a backdrop of plague and supernatural elements. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains moments of mild peril and fantasy violence.
Why we rated Predator's gold 12LP
Predator's gold is written at a Level 7 reading level across 325 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Predator's gold works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Predator's gold as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Predator's gold explores adventure, fantasy world-building, and cities and towns — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, cities and towns.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781407152141
- Pages
- 325
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction