The Foundry's edge
Cam Baity, Benny Zelkowicz
The Foundry's edge
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cam Baity, Benny Zelkowicz
The text is written at a 8th 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 clang of metal and the scent of hot iron fill the air, swirling around Phoebe as she plots her next prank on Micah. Life in Meridian is full of secrets, especially with her father, a famous engineer, often away. But when danger strikes, Phoebe and Micah must face the unknown together, and everything changes in an instant.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a richly imagined world of technology and intrigue, this middle-grade novel follows Phoebe and her resourceful servant Micah as they navigate family tensions and a sudden kidnapping. The story explores themes of loyalty, bravery, and adventure suitable for ages 9 to 12, with mild peril but no graphic content.
Why we rated The Foundry's edge 12LE
The Foundry's edge is written at a Level 8 reading level across 442 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Foundry's edge works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The Foundry's edge 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 Foundry's edge explores adventure, fantasy & magic, friendship, and family — 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, fantasy & magic, friendship.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423162278
- Pages
- 442
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction