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Splintering (Push Poetry)

Eireann Corrigan

Cover of Splintering (Push Poetry)

Splintering (Push Poetry)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Eireann Corrigan

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 13+ Heads Up

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

The sharp crack of wood splintering fills the air as two sisters press their backs against the door, hearts pounding, clutching the phone tightly. Outside, danger looms, but inside, secrets and fears rise like shadows. What will they find when the silence finally breaks?

Themes

FamilyTrauma RecoveryResiliencePoetryMultiple Perspectives

Quick Assessment

This poignant novel in verse explores the aftermath of a violent home invasion, focusing on a family forced to confront trauma and vulnerability. Told through multiple perspectives, it sensitively addresses themes of fear, resilience, and the complexities beneath a family’s surface. Recommended for mature teens due to its emotional intensity and subject matter involving violence.

Why we rated Splintering (Push Poetry) 9IE

Splintering (Push Poetry) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 184 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Splintering (Push Poetry) works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Splintering (Push Poetry) as 9IE ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Trauma.

Thematically, Splintering (Push Poetry) explores family, trauma recovery, resilience, poetry, and multiple perspectives — 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, trauma recovery, resilience.

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

9IE — Intense — Emotional
Emotional
Intense
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Moderate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Violence Trauma
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
8
Theme Richness
7
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

184 pages
ISBN
9780606333047
Pages
184
Publisher
Turtleback Books
Published
April 2005
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Poetry