Swarm
Matthew K. Manning
Swarm
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Swarm
by Matthew K. Manning
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
What if a group of teens controlled powerful drones from miles away, never meeting in person? Inside their virtual world, they face daring missions—from battling enemy drones to helping in emergencies. But can they keep their friendships strong when all they know is through a screen?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Swarm follows a team of middle-grade teens who operate drones remotely as part of a high-tech academy. The story explores teamwork, technology, and the challenges of forming relationships in a virtual environment. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it offers a balanced mix of action and social dynamics without intense content.
Why we rated Swarm 11LE
Swarm is written at a Level 6 reading level across 223 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Swarm works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Swarm 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, Swarm explores friendship, adventure, science & nature, interpersonal relations, and technology — 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 friendship, adventure, science & nature.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781623709921
- Pages
- 223
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction