Burning
Rollins, Danielle (Author)
Burning
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rollins, Danielle (Author)
The text is written at a 7th 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
I’ll tell you a secret: Brunesfield Correctional Facility isn’t just a place for troubled girls—it hides something far darker. Angela thought she was almost free, but when a new warden arrives, strange things start happening that no one can explain. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Burning is a middle-grade horror thriller set in a juvenile detention center where the protagonist, Angela, faces supernatural threats alongside real-world challenges. The story contains themes of danger, dark authority figures, and mysterious disappearances, suitable for readers aged 9-12 who enjoy suspenseful, eerie fiction. Parents should be aware of elements involving juvenile detention and supernatural horror, which may be intense for some sensitive readers.
Why we rated Burning 12ME
Burning is written at a Level 7 reading level across 346 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Burning works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Burning as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Juvenile Detention, Supernatural Elements, Suspenseful Themes.
Thematically, Burning explores horror stories, supernatural, juvenile detention, mystery, and friendship — 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 horror stories, supernatural, juvenile detention.
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
12ME — 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
2/10A 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
- 9781619637382
- Pages
- 346
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury USA Childrens
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction