Warning from the waves
Justine Swain-Smith
Warning from the waves
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Justine Swain-Smith
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if you could dive deep beneath the waves and meet a mysterious boy who whispers secrets of the sea? Tara loves the ocean, but this strange underwater visitor has a warning she can't yet understand. What could the waves be trying to tell her?
Quick Assessment
This early reader story centers on Tara, a young girl who encounters a mysterious boy beneath the ocean waves. Geared towards ages 5-8 with a grade 2 reading level, it introduces themes of friendship and mystery set in a magical marine world. The content is gentle and suitable for young children, with no intense or frightening elements.
Why we rated Warning from the waves 7C
Warning from the waves is written at a Level 2 reading level across 33 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Warning from the waves works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Warning from the waves as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Warning from the waves explores fantasy world-building, adventure, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781434204752
- Pages
- 33
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction