Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The summer of chasing mermaids
Sarah Ockler
The summer of chasing mermaids
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Ockler
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.
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About This Book
Elyse clutches the edge of the boat, waves crashing around her as she faces the sea that took her voice. Suddenly, Christian's teasing challenge cuts through the silence—can she find a new way to speak without sound? The ocean holds secrets, but Elyse is about to discover if she’s brave enough to listen.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Elyse, a young girl who loses her voice after a boating accident and moves to a new town to heal. As she confronts her fears and learns to communicate in new ways, the story explores themes of loss, resilience, and self-expression. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it includes mild emotional challenges related to trauma and personal growth.
Why we rated The summer of chasing mermaids 10ME
The summer of chasing mermaids is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 840L across 403 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The summer of chasing mermaids works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate The summer of chasing mermaids 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 — 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 summer of chasing mermaids explores mute persons, loss & grief, coming of age, family, and romance — 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 mute persons, loss & grief, 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
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
1/10A 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
- 9781481401272
- Pages
- 403
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 840L