Blackout
Robert Swindells
Blackout
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Swindells
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 damp, musty air fills your lungs as the old wooden beams creak above. Shadows flicker on the walls of the dark, forgotten mines beneath Golfodd, where secrets whisper and adventure waits. Can you hear the hidden stories calling from deep underground?
Quick Assessment
Set at the start of World War II in England, this middle-grade novel follows a group of children who seek adventure by exploring mysterious, decaying mines. The story combines historical context with themes of courage and discovery and is suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book includes mild tension related to the war setting and underground exploration.
Why we rated Blackout 11LE
Blackout is written at a Level 6 reading level across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blackout works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Blackout 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, Blackout explores adventure, historical, friendship, and family — 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 adventure, historical, friendship.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780552561549
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction