Archon
Lana Krumwiede
Archon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lana Krumwiede
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Taemon thought he had ended telekinesis forever, but he’s the only one who can still use it—and it’s changing everything. As he searches for his family and steps into a world filled with unexpected friends and enemies, nothing is quite what it seems. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Archon is a middle-grade dystopian adventure following twelve-year-old Taemon as he navigates a fractured society where psychic powers are banned. The story explores themes of responsibility, identity, and prejudice, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of tension, conflict, and some darker themes relating to societal division and war, handled appropriately for the age group.
Why we rated Archon 12ME
Archon is written at a Level 7 reading level across 313 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Archon works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Archon as 12ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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, Archon explores exiles, psychokinesis, interpersonal relations, prejudices, and adventure — 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 exiles, psychokinesis, interpersonal relations.
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
12ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763664022
- Pages
- 313
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction