Shadow Guard
J. D. Vaughn
Shadow Guard
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by J. D. Vaughn
Second Guard
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
In the kingdom of Tequende, the Earth Guild struggles for respect among the powerful Sun and Moon guilds. Brindl Tacora, a dedicated earth guild member and messenger to the Princess, faces a tough choice: support a brewing rebellion or remain faithful to the crown. As hidden dangers threaten everyone, Brindl must find a way to bring the divided groups together before disaster strikes.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include political conflict, loyalty and betrayal, moderate peril. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated Shadow Guard 11MP
Shadow Guard is written at a Level 6 reading level across 320 pages (approximately 56,673 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shadow Guard works for readers up to grade 8.0.
Read aloud, Shadow Guard runs about 6.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Shadow Guard as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Political Conflict, Loyalty and Betrayal, Moderate Peril.
Thematically, Shadow Guard explores adventure, political intrigue, coming of age, friendship, and fantasy world-building — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, political intrigue, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423170976
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 56,673
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 18m
- Text Density
- Standard