The Lifeguard
Richie Tankersley Cusick
The Lifeguard
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Point Horror/24 Copy (Point Horror)
by Richie Tankersley Cusick
The text is written at a 6th 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
Waves crash as Kelsey spots a mysterious note tucked under her pillow—someone is missing, and the danger is closer than she thinks. The eerie lighthouse looms nearby, and a strange man won’t stop watching her. Just when the lifeguards seem like her only hope, Kelsey realizes they might not be who she thought they were.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade thriller follows Kelsey during a summer filled with mystery and suspense on Beverly Island. The story includes themes of danger and intrigue, with some suspenseful moments involving suspicious drownings and a menacing adult figure, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12 who enjoy light mystery and adventure. Parents should be aware of mild peril elements but no graphic content is present.
Why we rated The Lifeguard 11MP
The Lifeguard is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Lifeguard works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Lifeguard as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Lifeguard explores mystery, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and girls & women — 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 mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780590637381
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Scholastic Trade
- Published
- April 1999
- Type
- Fiction