The hunted
Matt de la Peña
The hunted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt de la Peña
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if surviving a giant earthquake and tsunami was just the start of your troubles? Imagine making it back to land only to find out someone wants you silenced because of a deadly secret. Now, Shy has to be smarter and faster than anyone chasing him — or he might not survive.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Shy, a young boy who survives a devastating earthquake and tsunami but soon becomes a target after learning a dangerous secret from a coworker on a cruise ship. The story explores themes of natural disasters and cultural identity within the Mexican American community, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note some suspense and mild peril as Shy navigates threats to his safety.
Why we rated The hunted 12ME
The hunted is written at a Level 7 reading level across 363 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hunted works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The hunted as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The hunted explores natural disasters, mexican americans, adventure, juvenile fiction, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about natural disasters, mexican americans, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780375989926
- Pages
- 363
- Publisher
- Delacorte Press
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction