The taken
Inbali Iserles
The taken
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Inbali Iserles
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Isla darts through the forest, her heart pounding as the sharp snap of a trap echoes behind her. The world she knew has disappeared—her family taken—and every shadow hides a new danger. Can she unlock the secret legacy of the Elders before the furless close in?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows Isla, a young fox on a perilous quest to find her missing family. Along the way, she encounters shape-shifting fox Elders and faces threats from humans and traps, blending adventure with themes of courage and self-discovery. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild peril but no graphic content.
Why we rated The taken 11LP
The taken is written at a Level 6 reading level across 247 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The taken works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The taken as 11LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The taken explores adventure, fantasy world-building, quest, animal protagonists, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, quest.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781407147123
- Pages
- 247
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction