Blood
Francine Pascal
Blood
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Francine Pascal
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 scent of rain mixes with the electric buzz in the air as Gaia wrestles with the heavy guilt weighing on her heart. Her powers, once a source of strength, now feel like a burden she can't bear. But when her friend’s fate pulls her back into the storm, Gaia learns that some feelings refuse to stay silent.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores themes of guilt, friendship, and self-discovery through the story of Gaia, a teenage girl grappling with her supernatural powers after a tragic loss. Suitable for ages 13-18, it addresses emotional struggles and suspenseful situations, with some moments of peril as Gaia and her friend Ed face dangerous consequences. Parents should note the presence of emotional intensity and mild fantasy violence.
Why we rated Blood 11IE
Blood is written at a Level 6 reading level across 210 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blood works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Blood as 11IE ("Intense — 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, Blood explores fear, teenage girls, friendship, young adult fiction, and supernatural powers — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fear, teenage girls, friendship.
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
11IE — Intense — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0671039490
- Pages
- 210
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction