The scavengers
Michael Perry
The scavengers
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michael Perry
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
Crunching metal and the sharp scent of rust fill the air as Ford Falcon digs through heaps of forgotten treasures at the junkyard. Outside the Bubble Cities, survival means turning trash into treasure, and every discovery could change everything. But when Ford's world is suddenly shattered, she must dig deeper than ever before to save her family and find her own strength.
Quick Assessment
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where families choose to live outside protected cities, this middle-grade novel follows Maggie, who renames herself Ford Falcon as she scavenges for survival with her family. The story explores themes of family bonds, resilience, and self-discovery, with moderate tension and adventure suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note some scenes involve peril and missing family members but these are handled with sensitivity.
Why we rated The scavengers 12ME
The scavengers is written at a Level 7 reading level across 322 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The scavengers works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The scavengers 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 — 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 scavengers explores family, survival, adventure, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, survival, 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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062026163
- Pages
- 322
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction