The wicked deep
Shea Ernshaw
The wicked deep
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Shea Ernshaw
The text is written at a 7th 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
What if three sisters who were lost to the deep waters centuries ago came back every summer, using other girls to seek their revenge? Imagine a town where secrets swirl like the ocean waves, and a new boy arrives unaware of the dangers lurking beneath. Can anyone stop the sisters before more lives are pulled under?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade supernatural thriller explores themes of love, revenge, and sisterhood set in a coastal town with a dark history of witchcraft. Suitable for ages 9-12, it features suspenseful and eerie elements involving ghostly sisters who possess others to enact their vengeance. Parents should note the story includes mild peril and supernatural themes that create a haunting atmosphere.
Why we rated The wicked deep 12ME
The wicked deep is written at a Level 7 reading level across 310 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The wicked deep works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The wicked deep as 12ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The wicked deep explores love, witches, sisters, supernatural, and coasts — 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 love, witches, sisters.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481497343
- Pages
- 310
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction