Scrap
Emory Sharplin
Scrap
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel
by Emory Sharplin
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 you were a twelve-year-old orphan living on the harsh streets of a vast empire, always one step ahead of danger? Imagine discovering you have secret powers and a mysterious invitation that could lead you to your missing friends—but stepping into a world of silk dresses and secrets might change everything. Can Tucker Scrap unlock the truth about her past and rewrite the future of a kingdom?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a fictional empire, this middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Tucker Scrap, an orphan who leads a group of street children while uncovering hidden supernatural abilities. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and resilience amid adversity, with some mild peril and fantasy violence appropriate for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of magical elements and the challenges faced by orphans in a harsh setting.
Why we rated Scrap 12ME
Scrap is written at a Level 7 reading level across 343 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Scrap works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Scrap 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, Scrap explores orphans, magic, adventure, friendship, and coming of age — 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 orphans, magic, adventure.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781938416354
- Pages
- 343
- Publisher
- Greenleaf Book Group
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction