Take a chance
Sheila Holroyd
Take a chance
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sheila Holroyd
The text is written at a 7th 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 sudden trip to sunny Spain could change everything? Imagine meeting new friends and uncovering secrets while trying to find your way after losing something important. Tessa's adventure is just beginning, but what will happen next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Tessa, who impulsively travels to Spain after losing her job, where she becomes involved with Tom and two children facing abandonment. The story explores themes of loss, new relationships, and personal growth, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book touches on emotional topics like abandonment but handles them at a level appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Take a chance 12ME
Take a chance is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Take a chance works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Take a chance as 12ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Take a chance explores abandoned children, man-woman relationships, family, coming of age, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about abandoned children, man-woman relationships, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781444819724
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Linford
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction