Release
Tom Isbell
Release
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tom Isbell
The text is written at a 7th 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 the world you barely escaped from was still hunting you? Imagine racing against time to stop a powerful leader from unleashing her darkest plan. Can Hope and her friends risk everything to save their future, even if it means trusting former enemies?
Quick Assessment
Release is the final installment in Tom Isbell's post-apocalyptic Prey series, targeting middle-grade readers aged 9-12. The story follows a group of young survivors as they face dangerous enemies and tough choices to prevent a catastrophic plan by a ruthless leader. The book contains themes of suspense, survival, and revenge, with some intense moments that may require parental guidance for sensitive readers.
Why we rated Release 12ME
Release is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Release works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Release 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Release explores adventure, survival, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, survival, 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
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
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
- 9780062216090
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction