Runaway at Sea

Mary Razzell

Cover of Runaway at Sea

Runaway at Sea

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Mary Razzell

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Anne sneaks aboard a cruise ship bound for Vancouver, chasing a mystery and a chance at freedom. The ship is buzzing with secrets and danger—then suddenly, a typhoid outbreak sends everything spiraling out of control. Can Anne keep her courage afloat when it feels like the whole ship is sinking?

Quick Assessment

Set in 1970 San Francisco, this young adult novel follows sixteen-year-old Anne as she runs away on a cruise ship, facing a typhoid outbreak and complex social issues like draft dodging and family conflict. The story explores themes of responsibility, loyalty, and self-discovery with moderate intensity, appropriate for teens aged 13 and up. Parents should note the historical context and the presence of medical and social challenges, but the narrative handles them thoughtfully and without graphic detail.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

5/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

150 pages
ISBN
9781550173277
Pages
150
Publisher
Harbour Publishing Company
Published
May 3, 2005
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Social IssuesRunawaysAction & AdventureHistoricalCanadaPost-ConfederationCultural Region/CanadianAdolescenceTopical/Adolescence/Coming of AgeVoyages and TravelsAdventure and Adventurers