Race for the Ryland ruby
Robert Jay
Race for the Ryland ruby
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Carty Andersson Novel: Race for the Ryland Ruby
by Robert Jay
The text is written at a 8th 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 mysterious ruby from an ancient king's mine could change everything? Sixteen-year-old Carty Andersson and his friend Elena chase a dangerous villain through Havana, uncovering secrets and facing wild creatures in Florida's swamps. Their race to protect the priceless Ryland Ruby is filled with twists that could change their world forever.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows 16-year-old Carty Andersson and his friend Elena as they pursue a dangerous antagonist across Havana and Florida. The story combines elements of mystery, history, and wildlife, with some tense moments involving threats and suspense suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the story includes themes of danger and conflict but is appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Race for the Ryland ruby 12ME
Race for the Ryland ruby is written at a Level 8 reading level across 498 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Race for the Ryland ruby works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Race for the Ryland ruby 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 — 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, Race for the Ryland ruby explores adventure, mystery, friendship, family, and fantasy world-building — 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 adventure, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
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
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
- 9780615401195
- Pages
- 498
- Publisher
- Cloverleaf Corp.
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction