Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Ruby Redfort take your last breath
Lauren Child
Ruby Redfort take your last breath
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lauren Child
The text is written at a 5th 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
Ruby’s boat rocks wildly as the sea monster’s shadow looms beneath the waves. She clutches her secret codebook, racing against time to outsmart a pirate crew and the sinister Count von Viscount. Just when she thinks she’s safe, a new danger surfaces—what will Ruby do next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This thrilling middle-grade spy adventure follows Ruby Redfort as she faces peril on the open sea, decoding mysteries while evading dangerous foes including a pirate band and a sea monster. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story combines elements of suspense, puzzles, and action without intense violence or mature themes. Parents can expect an engaging, age-appropriate tale that encourages problem-solving and bravery.
Why we rated Ruby Redfort take your last breath 10LP
Ruby Redfort take your last breath is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 840L across 406 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ruby Redfort take your last breath works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate Ruby Redfort take your last breath as 10LP ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Ruby Redfort take your last breath explores adventure, mystery, spy stories, friendship, and code and cipher 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, spy stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780763654689
- Pages
- 406
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 840L