Burn
Walter Jury
Burn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Walter Jury
The text is written at a 7th 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 sharp hiss of burning metal fills the air as Tate races through the alien landscape, his heart pounding with every step. Strange creatures loom in the distance, their eyes glowing with an eerie light. Just when Tate thinks he's safe, a new, more terrifying threat emerges—one that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Burn is a middle-grade science fiction adventure featuring Tate, a young protagonist who faces challenges from mysterious alien races threatening Earth. The story explores themes of bravery, invention, and extraterrestrial encounters suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild peril related to alien threats, but the content remains appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Burn 12LP
Burn is written at a Level 7 reading level across 334 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Burn works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Burn as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Burn explores science & nature, adventure, extraterrestrial beings, juvenile fiction, and inventions — 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 science & nature, adventure, extraterrestrial beings.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
- 9780399160684
- Pages
- 334
- Publisher
- G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction