The three red flares
David Divine
The three red flares
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Divine
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
They stumbled upon a secret map that could change history forever—a hidden Saxon cathedral lost beneath the waves. But now, shadowy strangers are watching their every move, and danger lurks closer than they think. And that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows three children who discover a map leading to a lost Saxon cathedral, sparking an adventurous quest that involves underwater exploration and suspense. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of friendship, courage, and problem-solving, with mild peril as the children confront unknown threats. Parents should note the presence of mystery-driven tension but no graphic content.
Why we rated The three red flares 11LE
The three red flares is written at a Level 6 reading level across 200 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The three red flares works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The three red flares as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The three red flares explores mystery, adventure, friendship, underwater archaeology, and scuba diving — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780690823578
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- Crowell
- Published
- 1972
- Type
- Fiction