The art of escaping
Erin Callahan
The art of escaping
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Erin Callahan
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
The crisp click of locks and the smooth slide of hidden doors fill the air as Mattie practices her secret craft. In a quiet room where shadows dance, she learns the magic of escape, not just from chains but from the fears that hold her back. When a surprising friendship unlocks even more secrets, Mattie discovers that being yourself is the greatest escape of all.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows 17-year-old Mattie, who hides her passion for escapology to avoid bullying. Over a lonely summer, she befriends Miyu, the daughter of a famous escape artist, and learns to perform secret acts. The story thoughtfully explores themes of identity, friendship, and self-expression, suitable for readers ages 9 to 12, with mild tension related to social fears and secrecy.
Why we rated The art of escaping 12LE
The art of escaping is written at a Level 7 reading level across 319 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The art of escaping works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The art of escaping 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The art of escaping explores friendship, family, coming of age, humor, 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 friendship, family, 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.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781944995652
- Pages
- 319
- Publisher
- Amberjack Publishing Company
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction