Tangerine
Edward Bloor
Tangerine
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Bloor
The text is written at a 7th 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
Here's a secret: Paul Fisher's older brother is a football star, but Paul doesn't see him as a hero. Paul loves soccer, even though he has to wear thick glasses because of a strange eye injury. Moving to Tangerine, Florida, Paul uncovers hidden truths that change everything—but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Tangerine follows Paul Fisher, a middle schooler who moves to Florida and faces challenges with his vision and family dynamics. The story explores themes of family secrets, identity, and resilience, suitable for ages 9-12 with some mild tension and mystery. Parents should know the book includes moments of emotional conflict and mild peril but no graphic content.
Why we rated Tangerine 12LE
Tangerine is written at a Level 7 reading level across 308 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tangerine works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Tangerine as 12LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety, Family Change.
Thematically, Tangerine explores family, friendship, coming of age, mystery, and sports — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781402507786
- Pages
- 308
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction