The Shadows We Make
Jo Allen Ash
The Shadows We Make
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jo Allen Ash
The text is written at a 5th 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
I’m going to tell you a secret: Grace Irese broke a rule that changed everything. Now, she’s trapped far from home in a place where hope is almost lost. But when she meets Duncan, a clever con-artist with his own dark past, their quest to save a special boy begins—and that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Grace, a determined desert warrior, and Duncan, a teenage con-artist, who both face harsh punishment in an off-world juvenile facility. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to rescue a gifted child from a powerful, oppressive leader. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of courage, friendship, and resilience within a dark, science fiction setting.
Why we rated The Shadows We Make 10ME
The Shadows We Make is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Shadows We Make works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate The Shadows We Make as 10ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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 Shadows We Make explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, and science & nature — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
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
10ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Shadows Everywhere
Gina Shaw
Shadows Everywhere
Gina Shaw
Shadows Between Us
Tricia Levenseller
Shadows Between Us
Tricia Levenseller
Shadow Sun
Jess E. Owen
Shadow Sun
Jess E. Owen
Summer Shadows
Joss Stirling
Summer Shadows
Joss Stirling
Shadows of Starfall Grove
Rooker Publications Llc
Shadows of Starfall Grove
Rooker Publications Llc
Shadows
Ron Goor
Shadows
Ron Goor
Details
- ISBN
- 9781734541953
- Publisher
- Potter Street Books
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction