The schooner's revenge
Robert Sutherland
The schooner's revenge
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Sutherland
The text is written at a 4th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp crack of ice splitting fills the cold air as the schooner Nancy battles the frozen waves of Lake Ontario. Fourteen-year-old Ben Random grips the deck, heart pounding, as blizzards blind his path and enemy ships close in. Fear of heights weighs on him, but now, with friends and hope riding on his courage, Ben faces a daring mission that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during the War of 1812, this historical adventure follows 14-year-old Ben, who overcomes his fear of heights to help save Fort Mackinac by delivering crucial supplies via the schooner Nancy. The story includes themes of bravery, anxiety, and perseverance amid realistic depictions of wartime challenges like harsh weather and naval conflict. Appropriate for middle-grade readers, it offers a gripping, action-filled narrative with moderate emotional depth and historical context.
Why we rated The schooner's revenge 9ME
The schooner's revenge is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 170 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The schooner's revenge works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The schooner's revenge as 9ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The schooner's revenge explores adventure, historical, coming of age, courage, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, coming of age.
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
9ME — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
On Rough Seas
Nancy L. Hull
On Rough Seas
Nancy L. Hull
Sailing for Glory
Teri-Lynn Janveau
Sailing for Glory
Teri-Lynn Janveau
Saving the Schooner
Susie Yakowicz
Saving the Schooner
Susie Yakowicz
I am Canada - Deadly Voyage
Hugh Brewster
I am Canada - Deadly Voyage
Hugh Brewster
The fireship
C. Northcote Parkinson
The fireship
C. Northcote Parkinson
The wreck of the Argyll
John K. Fulton
The wreck of the Argyll
John K. Fulton
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780002008532
- Pages
- 170
- Publisher
- HarperTrophy
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction