S.T.A.G.S.
M. A. Bennett
S.T.A.G.S.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M. A. Bennett
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if a fun weekend getaway turned into the most dangerous game? Greer thought she was just going to enjoy hunting, shooting, and fishing with her new friends, but soon she realizes she's not the hunter—she's the hunted. Can she outsmart the secret society before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Greer, a scholarship student at an elite boarding school, who is invited to an exclusive weekend that takes a dark turn when she and other outcasts become targets in a deadly game. The story explores themes of social class and secret societies with suspenseful elements appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and tense situations but no graphic content.
Why we rated S.T.A.G.S. 11MP
S.T.A.G.S. is written at a Level 6 reading level across 295 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, S.T.A.G.S. works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate S.T.A.G.S. as 11MP ("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: Mild Peril.
Thematically, S.T.A.G.S. explores schools, boarding schools, secret societies, social classes, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about schools, boarding schools, secret societies.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — 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
3/10A 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
- 9780525578468
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- Delacorte Press
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction