Zion Gold Rush
Claire Fulton, Dylan Bakken
Zion Gold Rush
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Claire Fulton, Dylan Bakken
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
When Isaiah's family heads to Zion National Park for a glamping adventure, the kids stumble upon a mysterious stone carving hinting at a hidden gold mine. Together with their friends, they follow clues through the majestic canyons, unraveling secrets and embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt under the stars. Adventure and friendship light the way in this exciting exploration of nature and legend.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Zion Gold Rush 9LP
Zion Gold Rush is written at a Level 4-5 reading level (approximately 25,285 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Zion Gold Rush works for readers up to grade 6.5.
Read aloud, Zion Gold Rush runs about 2.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Zion Gold Rush 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Zion Gold Rush explores adventure, friendship, family, science & nature, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, family.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Campground Kids series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Campground Kids Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781955657174
- Published
- 2022-03-15
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 25,285
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 49m