Splash dance
Ocean, Davy
Splash dance
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ocean, Davy
Illustrated by Blecha, Aaron, illustrator
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The salty spray of the ocean fills the air as fins slice through the sparkling water. A fierce dance unfolds beneath the waves, where sharks compete with swift, graceful moves. Can they win the ultimate splash dance championship and prove their strength?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Splash Dance is a middle-grade fiction book about sharks engaging in a unique underwater competition that blends dance and skill. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines themes of teamwork, perseverance, and marine life in an engaging story. The book contains no intense content and is appropriate for young readers interested in animals and adventure.
Why we rated Splash dance 9C
Splash dance is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 120 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Splash dance works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Splash dance as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Splash dance explores adventure, animals, competition, and friendship — 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 adventure, animals, competition.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481406963
- Pages
- 120
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction