Water works
Tanya Karen Gough
Water works
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tanya Karen Gough
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
What if the magical world you thought was just a childhood dream suddenly comes back to life when it starts to rain? Emma thought her adventures with basement brownies and a troll-green siren were over—until she finds herself back in Under, this time to save her best friend from a mysterious illness. Now, she must face new dangers in the jungle and beneath the sea, where every choice could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Emma as she returns to a magical world to save her sick best friend, Reggie. The story explores themes of friendship and courage through imaginative adventures and challenges, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of fantasy peril and emotionally intense moments but no graphic content.
Why we rated Water works 11ME
Water works is written at a Level 6 reading level across 221 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Water works works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Water works 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, Water works explores friendship, fantasy world-building, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, fantasy world-building, adventure.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780987850621
- Pages
- 221
- Publisher
- Baba Yaga Press
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction