SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA
Edward Packard
SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Packard
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
I’m about to tell you a secret: you’re on a ship chasing the last living dinosaur deep in the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly, a giant tidal wave crashes over the deck, and you’re the only one who can steer the ship to safety—but that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This interactive middle-grade book invites children aged 9-12 to navigate a thrilling survival adventure at sea. Readers make choices that determine the outcome, engaging critical thinking and reading skills. While exciting and suspenseful, it contains mild peril suitable for this age group.
Why we rated SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA 9LP
SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 118 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, SURVIVAL AT SEA(CYOA explores adventure, survival, and mystery — 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 adventure, survival, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780553265606
- Pages
- 118
- Publisher
- Bantam Books
- Published
- November 1, 1982
- Type
- Fiction