Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The dark frigate
Charles Boardman Hawes
The dark frigate
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
wherein is told the story of Philip Marsham who lived in the time of King Charles and was bred a sailor but came home to England...
by Charles Boardman Hawes
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
The ship creaks under the moonlight as the pirates shout orders, and suddenly, the young man is dragged into the chaos. He didn’t expect to become one of them, but now there’s no turning back. What will happen when the hunt for treasure turns deadly?
Quick Assessment
This historical adventure follows a young man who, after his ship is captured by pirates, must navigate life as part of their crew while facing danger and tough choices. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the book contains themes of bravery, loyalty, and survival with some scenes of peril but no graphic content. It’s a gripping tale for middle-grade readers who enjoy action and historical settings.
Why we rated The dark frigate 11LP
The dark frigate is written at a Level 6 reading level across 246 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dark frigate works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The dark frigate as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Thematically, The dark frigate explores adventure, historical, and coming of age — 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 adventure, historical, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316350969
- Pages
- 246
- Publisher
- Joy Street Books
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction