Brick Dust and Bones
M. R. Fournet
Brick Dust and Bones
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by M. R. Fournet
Marius Grey
The text is written at a 4th 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
Marius Grey, a twelve-year-old guardian of the graveyard, is determined to bring his mother back from the dead by hunting dangerous monsters in the shadowy streets of New Orleans. With the help of a mysterious mermaid who might be friend or foe, he races against time to collect enough mystic coins before his chance slips away. Facing demons, tricky teachers, and fierce creatures, Marius must prove his courage to save his family and himself.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, physical/safety: mild peril, physical/safety: fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Brick Dust and Bones 9ME
Brick Dust and Bones is written at a Level 4-5 reading level (approximately 53,895 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Brick Dust and Bones works for readers up to grade 6.9.
Read aloud, Brick Dust and Bones runs about 6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Brick Dust and Bones as 9ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril, Physical/Safety: Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Brick Dust and Bones explores fantasy world-building, adventure, family, friendship, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250876027
- Publisher
- Feiwel & Friends
- Published
- 2023
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 53,895
- Read-Aloud
- ~5h 59m