What reading level is Shark attack!?

Shark attack! by Cathy East Dubowski is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 820L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Shark attack! appropriate for?

Shark attack! is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10LP (Light — Physical).

What genre is Shark attack!?

Shark attack! is nonfiction — DK books.

Does Shark attack! have any content warnings?

Shark attack! has a HootRating of 10LP (Light — Physical). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Shark attack!?

Shark attack! by Cathy East Dubowski is 63 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Shark attack!

Cathy East Dubowski

Shark attack!

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cathy East Dubowski

Reading Level 5-6 10LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to come face-to-face with a shark? Off the coast of Australia, a spear-fisherman’s peaceful dive turns into a heart-pounding battle for survival. What will happen when man and predator meet beneath the waves?

Themes

AnimalsAdventureMarine LifeSurvival

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book tells the thrilling story of a spear-fisherman’s close call with a shark near Australia. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores marine life and the dangers of the ocean without graphic content. Parents should note it includes themes of animal behavior and mild peril.

Why we rated Shark attack! 10LP

Shark attack! is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 820L across 63 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shark attack! works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Shark attack! as 10LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Shark attack! explores animals, adventure, marine life, and survival — 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 animals, adventure, marine life.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.