The Treasure of Amelia Island
M. C. Finotti
The Treasure of Amelia Island
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M. C. Finotti
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), 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
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hunt for pirate treasure while your home is caught in a big, scary fight? Eleven-year-old Mary Kingsley lives in a land where people are fighting over who should be in charge, and her family is in danger of losing their freedom. What secrets will Mary uncover on her wild treasure adventure?
Quick Assessment
Set in 1813 Florida during a time of political conflict, this historical fiction follows eleven-year-old Mary Kingsley, the daughter of a freed former slave, as she embarks on a risky treasure hunt with her brothers. The story explores themes of family, freedom, and racial challenges in a sensitive way suitable for early readers ages 5-8. Parents should note the historical context involving slavery and racial tensions but will find the content presented thoughtfully for young audiences.
Why we rated The Treasure of Amelia Island 8ME
The Treasure of Amelia Island is written at a Level 3 reading level across 97 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Treasure of Amelia Island works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The Treasure of Amelia Island as 8ME ("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, social complexity, 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 Treasure of Amelia Island explores family, adventure, historical, coming of age, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 family, adventure, historical.
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
8ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Treasure Island
Mary Georgia Livingston, Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Island
Mary Georgia Livingston, Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Hunt
Amelia Edwards
Treasure Hunt
Amelia Edwards
Pirate island treasure
Marilyn Helmer
Pirate island treasure
Marilyn Helmer
Treasure in the Keys (Standing Tall Mystery Series)
Molly Mraz
Treasure in the Keys (Standing Tall Mystery Series)
Molly Mraz
Hidden Treasure
Eleanore M. Jewett
Hidden Treasure
Eleanore M. Jewett
Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781561644162
- Pages
- 97
- Publisher
- Pineapple Press, Inc.
- Published
- February 28, 2008
- Type
- Fiction