Rip Power
Anthony Collins
Rip Power
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Reading Gave Him the Strength to Fight Back!
by Anthony Collins
The text is written at a 4th 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
What if the very books you carry could become your superpower? Rip is just an ordinary kid who struggles with reading and feels invisible at home and school. But when a gang threatens his beloved library, Rip discovers he can turn the stories in his backpack into amazing weapons—can he save the day before everything burns?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Rip, a struggling reader who finds solace in the public library and gains unique powers by transforming book ideas into weapons. The story explores themes of self-discovery, overcoming bullying, and the value of literacy. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild peril involving a gang and a threat to burn the library, but resolves positively.
Why we rated Rip Power 9LE
Rip Power is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 175 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rip Power works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Rip Power as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Bullying.
Thematically, Rip Power explores science & technology, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and literacy — 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 science & technology, adventure, friendship.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781598864694
- Pages
- 175
- Publisher
- Tate Publishing & Enterprises
- Published
- September 2006
- Type
- Nonfiction