The unwanted
Jeffrey Ricker
The unwanted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeffrey Ricker
The text is written at a 6th 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
Jamie ducks just as Billy's fist whizzes past his head, heart pounding in the chaos of the school hallway. Suddenly, a stranger appears—his mother, thought lost forever, but now she’s an Amazon warrior with a desperate mission. Can Jamie face gods and curses to save a tribe that turned its back on him?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Jamie, a young boy navigating the challenges of junior high while discovering his mother, an Amazon warrior, is alive and in need of his help. The story blends everyday bullying with mythological adventure, exploring themes of family, courage, and identity. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes mild peril and fantasy violence but handles these elements with age-appropriate sensitivity.
Why we rated The unwanted 11ME
The unwanted is written at a Level 6 reading level across 250 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The unwanted works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The unwanted as 11ME ("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 unwanted explores family, adventure, fantasy world-building, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, adventure, fantasy world-building.
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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781626390485
- Pages
- 250
- Publisher
- Soliloquy, a division of Bold Strokes Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction