The Silver Six
A. J. Lieberman
The Silver Six
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by A. J. Lieberman
Illustrated by Rawlings, Darren, illustrator
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.
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About This Book
What if you and your friends were orphans on the run, searching for a safe place among the stars? Imagine escaping to a quiet moon, only to discover danger is closing in fast. Can Phoebe and Oliver protect their new home before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows a group of orphans who escape their oppressive orphanage and seek refuge on an uninhabited moon. When a powerful corporate villain sends a henchman after them, the children must band together to defend themselves. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, courage, and resilience with some suspenseful moments but no graphic content.
Why we rated The Silver Six 9ME
The Silver Six is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Silver Six works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Silver Six 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 Silver Six explores orphans, adventure, science & nature, friendship, and family — 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 orphans, adventure, science & nature.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545370974
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction