What reading level is The Castaways?

The Castaways by Iain Lawrence is at a Level 6 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is The Castaways appropriate for?

The Castaways is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 11MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril, Death, Slavery, Violence.

What genre is The Castaways?

The Castaways is fiction — Adventure stories.

Does The Castaways have any content warnings?

The Castaways has a HootRating of 11MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags include: Mild Peril, Death, Slavery, Violence. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Castaways?

The Castaways by Iain Lawrence is 256 pages.

The Castaways

Iain Lawrence

The Castaways

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Iain Lawrence

Reading Level 6 11MP Ages 13+ Matched

A Junior Library Guild selection

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Salt stings Tom’s lips and the creak of old wood fills the air as he and his friends scramble aboard a deserted ship, their hearts pounding with hope and fear. The sea is vast and wild, but the real danger hides in the shadows of their new companions—men whose secrets could sink them all. Tom must decide who to trust before the waves swallow them whole.

Themes

Adventure SurvivalSelf-Esteem & Self-RelianceHistorical

Quick Assessment

This historical adventure novel follows Tom Tin and four other boys who, stranded at sea, find refuge on a deserted ship only to face new threats from dangerous castaways. The story explores themes of survival, self-reliance, and the harsh realities of trust and betrayal. Suitable for teens aged 13 and up, it contains scenes of peril and violence, including slavery and death, that may require parental guidance.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11MP — Moderate — Physical

Emotional

Clear

Physical

Moderate ←

Social

Clear

Thematic

Clear

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Mild Peril Death Slavery Violence

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

256 pages

ISBN: 9780385901123
Pages: 256
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Published: November 13, 2007
Type: Fiction

Genres

Adventure stories

Subjects

Action & AdventureHistoricalSocial IssuesSelf-Esteem & Self-RelianceYoung Adult FictionAdventure and AdventurersSeafaring LifeSlave TradeSurvival After Airplane Accidents, ShipwrecksFate and FatalismAdventure StoriesSurvival

Places

West IndiesCaribbean Islands