Stranded
Ben Mikaelsen
Stranded
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ben Mikaelsen
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be truly brave? Twelve-year-old Koby, who faces life with one foot, spots two pilot whales stranded in the shallow waters near her Florida home. Will her courage and determination be enough to save them both?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Stranded tells the story of Koby, a 12-year-old girl with a disability who embarks on a mission to rescue two stranded pilot whales. Set in the Florida Keys, this middle-grade novel explores themes of self-reliance, bravery, and connection with nature. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles physical disability and environmental challenges sensitively.
Why we rated Stranded 11LE
Stranded is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Stranded works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Stranded as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Stranded explores people with disabilities, adventure, friendship, science & nature, and family — 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 people with disabilities, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780786811090
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Hyperion Books for Children
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction