Skate
Michael Harmon
Skate
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michael Harmon
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp scrape of skateboard wheels against cracked pavement fills the chilly air, mixing with the smell of rain-soaked streets. Ian races through Spokane, heart pounding, as shadows of trouble close in around him and his little brother, Sammy. Can they outrun the dangers that threaten their fragile family and find a place to call home?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel follows Ian McDermott, a teenage boy raising his younger brother Sammy amid family instability and social challenges. After a violent incident at school, Ian and Sammy embark on a tense journey across Washington State to find a relative who might offer them safety. The story explores themes of family loyalty, survival, and adolescent anger, appropriate for teens 13 and older due to mature social issues and moments of conflict.
Why we rated Skate 11IE
Skate is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Skate works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Skate as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Teen Anger, Family Instability, Runaway Youth.
Thematically, Skate explores family, survival, social issues, and coming of age — 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 family, survival, social issues.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553495102
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Laurel Leaf
- Published
- February 12, 2008
- Type
- Fiction