After tomorrow
Gillian Cross
After tomorrow
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gillian Cross
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp crack of gunfire echoes through the empty streets, mingling with the distant rumble of footsteps. Matt grips Taco’s hand tightly as they slip through shadows, the cold air biting at their skin. Everything they thought was safe has vanished, and now, the fight to survive is just beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
After Tomorrow is a gripping dystopian novel following two brothers, Matt and Taco, as they navigate a dangerous world where lawlessness and violence have taken hold. Designed for readers ages 13-18, this book explores themes of survival, family bonds, and the harsh realities of a society in collapse. Parents should note the presence of armed conflict and tense situations, though it handles these with a focus on character resilience.
Why we rated After tomorrow 11ME
After tomorrow is written at a Level 6 reading level across 296 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, After tomorrow works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate After tomorrow 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, After tomorrow explores survival, family, dystopias, 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 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, family, dystopias.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780192756268
- Pages
- 296
- Publisher
- OUP Oxford
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction