Spliced
Jon McGoran
Spliced
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jon McGoran
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp, electric buzz of the lab hums in Jimi’s ears as she races through the crowded streets, chasing shadows and secrets. Her best friend Del is disappearing—changing in ways no one else dares to face. What happens when someone you love starts to become something not quite human?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Spliced is a middle-grade science fiction novel that explores themes of friendship, identity, and ethical questions surrounding genetic engineering. Set in a near-future world where people can splice animal genes into themselves, it follows sixteen-year-old Jimi as she searches for her best friend Del, who is undergoing dangerous transformations. The story contains moderate emotional intensity with themes suitable for ages 9-12, though parents should be aware of mature questions about identity and societal acceptance.
Why we rated Spliced 12ME
Spliced is written at a Level 7 reading level across 362 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Spliced works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Spliced as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Spliced explores friendship, science & nature, survival, genetic engineering, and toleration — 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 friendship, science & nature, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780823438556
- Pages
- 362
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction