Shifting
Bethany Wiggins
Shifting
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bethany Wiggins
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Seventeen-year-old Maggie, who has lived in many foster homes, struggles to graduate high school while fighting to overcome her tough reputation. When mysterious and dangerous Navajo Skinwalkers threaten her community, Maggie must find strength she never knew she had. This gripping story blends real-life challenges with supernatural suspense.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include violence, sexual references, foster home care. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Shifting 9IP
Shifting is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 356 pages (approximately 91,471 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shifting works for readers up to grade 6.7.
Read aloud, Shifting runs about 10.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Shifting as 9IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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: Violence, Sexual References, Foster Home Care, Supernatural Violence.
Thematically, Shifting explores foster care, indigenous culture, supernatural, coming of age, and identity & self-discovery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about foster care, indigenous culture, supernatural.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780802722805
- Pages
- 356
- Publisher
- Walker & Co.
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 91,471
- Read-Aloud
- ~10h 10m
- Text Density
- Dense