Burned
Kristi Holl
Burned
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kristi Holl
The text is written at a 4th 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
Who would set fires in a place meant for learning and friendship? At Landmark School, a fire isn’t just an accident—it’s something much more mysterious. Jeri McKane knows she has to find the truth before the flames start again.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Burned is a middle-grade mystery about a student named Jeri who investigates a suspicious fire at her boarding school. The story explores themes of arson and justice within a Christian life framework, suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. It contains light mystery suspense but no graphic content, making it appropriate for its target age group.
Why we rated Burned 9LE
Burned is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 122 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Burned works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Burned as 9LE ("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, Burned explores mystery, arson, boarding schools, and christian life — 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 mystery, arson, boarding schools.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780310720942
- Pages
- 122
- Publisher
- Zondervan
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction