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Treacherous Tide

Franklin W. Dixon

Cover of Treacherous Tide

Treacherous Tide

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Franklin W. Dixon

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

What happens when a peaceful mission to save sharks turns into a race to find a missing paddle boarder? Frank and Joe Hardy are plunged into mystery beneath the waves of the Florida Keys, where danger lurks in the deep. Can they uncover the truth before the tide turns against them?

Quick Assessment

This engaging middle-grade mystery follows brothers Frank and Joe Hardy as they assist with shark conservation in the Florida Keys but soon face a puzzling disappearance. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines thrilling adventure with educational elements about marine life. The book contains mild peril related to the search and mystery but remains appropriate for young readers interested in detective stories and environmental themes.

Why we rated Treacherous Tide 9LP

Treacherous Tide is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Treacherous Tide works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Treacherous Tide as 9LP ("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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, Treacherous Tide explores mystery, adventure, science & nature, and friendship — 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, science & nature.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

160 pages
ISBN
9781534441378
Pages
160
Publisher
Aladdin
Published
2020
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Mysteries & Detective StoriesThrillers & SuspenseAction & AdventureAdventure and AdventurersMystery and Detective Stories