The release

Name: The release
Author: Tom Isbell
ISBN: 9780062216083

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tom Isbell

Reading Level 7 IE · Intense · Emotional Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes. Its HootRating code, IE, means intense content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

The sharp crackle of dry leaves underfoot fills the air as Hope and her friends slip through the shadowy forest. Every step brings them closer to a dangerous chase, where brave choices and secrets could change everything. The wind whispers promises of freedom—but also the weight of tough decisions.

Themes

Science & Nature Adventure Survival Family

Quick Assessment

This post-apocalyptic adventure follows a group of young survivors as they face dangerous enemies and difficult choices to protect their friends and fight for freedom. The story includes themes of survival, loyalty, and revenge in a suspenseful setting. Parents should note the presence of peril and complex moral challenges as the characters confront threats and personal struggles.

Why we rated The release IE (Intense)

The release is written at a Level 7 reading level across 357 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.

We rate The release as IE (Intense, mostly emotional) because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.

Thematically, The release explores science & nature, adventure, survival, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, survival.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 13 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.

For Parents

Content Intensity

IE · Intense · Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Intense

Social

Moderate

Thematic

Moderate

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.