Survivor
James Phelan
Survivor
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James Phelan
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 the world you knew was gone, and the streets were filled with danger at every turn? Jesse and his friends have just escaped the terrifying Chasers in a ruined New York City, but now they spot signs of other survivors. What mysteries—and threats—await in the wreckage?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Jesse and a group of young survivors navigating a post-apocalyptic New York overrun by zombies. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of survival, friendship, and societal collapse with moderate tension and mild peril. Parents should be aware of scenes involving fantasy violence and suspenseful moments typical of juvenile dystopian fiction.
Why we rated Survivor 11ME
Survivor is written at a Level 6 reading level across 258 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Survivor works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Survivor as 11ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fantasy Violence, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Survivor explores adventure, friendship, survival, fantasy world-building, and coming of age — 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 adventure, friendship, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Based on content and theme analysis
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780758280688
- Pages
- 258
- Publisher
- Kensington Books
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction