Shot down
Jonathan Mary-Todd
Shot down
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jonathan Mary-Todd
The text is written at a 4th 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
After a sudden attack sends Malik and the Captain crashing into the wilds of Kentucky, they must rely on their wits to evade relentless hunters who see tracking down the vulnerable as their grim mission. Facing a dangerous world where survival is a fight, the duo embarks on a tense adventure filled with suspense and courage.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, realistic violence, survival. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated Shot down 9MP
Shot down is written at a Level 4-5 reading level (approximately 13,564 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shot down works for readers up to grade 6.5.
Read aloud, Shot down runs about 1.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Shot down as 9MP ("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: Physical Danger, Realistic Violence, Survival.
Thematically, Shot down explores science & nature, survival, and adventure — 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 science & nature, survival, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the After the Dust Settled series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9MP — 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
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780761383291
- Publisher
- Darby Creek (Tm)
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 13,564
- Read-Aloud
- ~1h 30m