Raft
S. A. Bodeen
Raft
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by S. A. Bodeen
The text is written at a 6th 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
The salty spray stings Robbie’s face as the plane crashes into the endless, churning ocean. Stranded on a tiny raft, surrounded by sharks, every wave feels like a giant’s breath against her skin. Alone with Max, the co-pilot, Robbie must face fears deeper than the sea itself.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Raft is a middle-grade survival story about Robbie, who must rely on courage and resourcefulness after a plane crash leaves her stranded on a small raft in shark-infested waters. The book explores themes of bravery, trust, and resilience suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. While intense moments of peril are present, the story handles them in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Raft 11MP
Raft is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Raft works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Raft as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") 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, Raft explores survival, adventure, friendship, and sea stories — 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 survival, adventure, friendship.
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
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250027399
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Square Fish
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction