Leaving Protection
by Will Hobbs
HarperCollins 2009
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 5.2 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- survival
- courage
- trust and loyalty
- coming of age
- ethics vs. greed
- mentorship
- nature’s power
- self-reliance
About this book
Sixteen-year-old Robbie heads to Alaska to work the summer on a salmon troller and prove he’s ready for real responsibility. He signs on with a mysterious, hard-driving captain whose secret side quest—recovering historic Russian boundary plaques—pulls Robbie into deeper, riskier waters. Battling sudden storms and the raw power of the open ocean, Robbie must decide who to trust and what’s worth risking. Fast-paced and atmospheric, this sea adventure hooks readers who enjoy survival stories, real-world settings, and moral dilemmas.
Setting: Southeast Alaska and the Gulf of Alaska aboard a salmon troller, present day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leaving Protection right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Leaving Protection. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include survival, courage, trust and loyalty.
How long does it take to read Leaving Protection?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Leaving Protection takes around 5.0h to finish. The book has 50,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Leaving Protection have an AR quiz?
Yes — Leaving Protection has an AR quiz available, worth 7 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Leaving Protection?
Leaving Protection has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.