The dolphin project
E. R. Emmer
The dolphin project
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by E. R. Emmer
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Talia dives into the sparkling waters of Israel, ready to study dolphins up close. But when people start vanishing and strange figures lurk nearby, her summer project turns into a thrilling mystery. What secrets are hiding beneath the waves?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Talia as she travels to Israel to study dolphin communication but becomes entangled in a local mystery involving disappearances. The story incorporates cultural elements with maps and glossaries, making it educational and engaging for ages 9-12. While suitable for this age group, parents should note the presence of suspense and mild peril.
Why we rated The dolphin project 11LE
The dolphin project is written at a Level 6 reading level across 202 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dolphin project works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The dolphin project as 11LE ("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 dolphin project explores adventure, mystery, human-animal communication, multicultural, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, human-animal communication.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Project dolphin
Jill Bailey
Project dolphin
Jill Bailey
Project Dolphin
Jill Bailey
Project Dolphin
Jill Bailey
Dolphin
Robert Merle
Dolphin
Robert Merle
The secrets of the dolphins
Diana Reiss
The secrets of the dolphins
Diana Reiss
Dolphin's Friends
Anna Khamsamran
Dolphin's Friends
Anna Khamsamran
A Dolphin in the Bay
Diana Noonan
A Dolphin in the Bay
Diana Noonan
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 1893577120
- Pages
- 202
- Publisher
- Four Corners Pub. Co.
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction