Among the stars
Jodi Lynn Anderson
Among the stars
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
The text is written at a 6th 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
The cold, eerie silence of the Ever After whispers through the night, where ghostly figures flicker and shadows dance among the stars. May Bird steps carefully, her heart pounding with both fear and hope, as she searches for the mysterious Lady of North Farm in a land so spooky even the ghosts are scared. Every creak and whisper brings her closer to a secret that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Among the Stars is the second book in a middle-grade fantasy trilogy that follows May Bird’s journey through a haunting, starry realm called the Ever After. The story features themes of self-confidence and friendship as May and her companions face spooky creatures and villains on their quest. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book includes supernatural elements and mild peril but maintains a tone suitable for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Among the stars 11LE
Among the stars is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Among the stars works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Among the stars as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Among the stars explores fantasy, ghost stories, self-confidence, adventure, and friendship — 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 fantasy, ghost stories, self-confidence.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442495784
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Aladdin
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction