Shadowboxer
Tricia Sullivan
Shadowboxer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tricia Sullivan
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: Jade is unbeatable in the fighting ring, but outside it, her life is anything but under control. When a clash with a famous martial artist sends her far from home, she stumbles upon a hidden world where a sinister plan is unfolding. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Shadowboxer follows Jade, a talented teenage mixed martial arts fighter sent to a training camp in Thailand after a public incident. What starts as a journey to improve her attitude quickly turns into a suspenseful adventure involving supernatural elements and a dark conspiracy. Suitable for middle-grade readers, the story includes themes of personal growth, courage, and paranormal mystery, with some mild peril.
Why we rated Shadowboxer 11LE
Shadowboxer is written at a Level 6 reading level across 286 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shadowboxer works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Shadowboxer as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Shadowboxer explores mixed martial arts, supernatural, paranormal fiction, adventure, 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 mixed martial arts, supernatural, paranormal fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Shadows Between Us
Tricia Levenseller
Shadows Between Us
Tricia Levenseller
Mask of Shadows
Linsey Miller
Mask of Shadows
Linsey Miller
Shadow
Joyce Sweeney
Shadow
Joyce Sweeney
Shadow Sun
Jess E. Owen
Shadow Sun
Jess E. Owen
Shadow girl
Sally Nicholls
Shadow girl
Sally Nicholls
Shadowing
Adam Slater
Shadowing
Adam Slater
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781781082829
- Pages
- 286
- Publisher
- Ravenstone
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction