A killing frost

John Marsden

Cover of A killing frost

A killing frost

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by John Marsden

Tomorrow, When the War Began

Reading Level 5-6 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Ellie and her group of friends face new challenges as they fight to protect their home from invading forces in the wild Australian landscape. Together, they rely on courage and teamwork to survive in a world turned upside down by war. Their journey is filled with tough choices and the harsh realities of conflict.

Themes

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include profanity, physical danger, war & conflict. Written for readers ages 13+.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 3 — Moderate
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

Profanity Physical Danger War & Conflict
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

4/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Narrative Pace
3
Theme Richness
8
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
6

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Details

Book Length

275 pages
79,773 words
8h 52m read-aloud
ISBN
0395837359
Pages
275
Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published
1998
Type
Fiction
Word Count
79,773
Read-Aloud
~8h 52m
Text Density
Dense

Subjects

SurvivalWarAustraliaDetermination in TeenagersWar StoriesCombat SurvivalResourcefulness in TeenagersFriendshipRescuesEscapesTeenagersGuerrillasAustralian Teenage RefugeesGuerrilla WarfareDeterminationWilderness SurvivalSurvival Skills

Places

Australia