Scratch
Walter Sorrells
Scratch
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Walter Sorrells
The text is written at a 6th 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
Water crashes over the camp as the storm rages, washing away food and tearing apart shelters. The survivors scramble to gather what’s left, but whispers of mutiny spread like wildfire. Who will lead when trust breaks and the group starts to fall apart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows a group of young survivors struggling to rebuild after a devastating storm destroys their supplies and shelter. Themes of teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal conflict are explored in a suspenseful narrative appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note moments of tension and group conflict but no graphic content.
Why we rated Scratch 11ME
Scratch is written at a Level 6 reading level across 222 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Scratch works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Scratch as 11ME ("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, social complexity — 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, Scratch explores survival, adventure, interpersonal relations, friendship, and teamwork — 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 survival, adventure, interpersonal relations.
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
11ME — 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
- 9781424222148
- Pages
- 222
- Publisher
- Fitzgerald Books
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction