Cabinet of Earths
Anne Nesbet
Cabinet of Earths
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anne Nesbet
The text is written at a 6th 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 have a secret: in a city full of whispers and shadows, Maya’s new home hides a mysterious cabinet filled with glowing, colorful bottles. Strange statues seem to watch her every move, and a purple-eyed stranger is always nearby. But that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows twelve-year-old Maya as she moves to Paris and discovers a magical cabinet linked to dark forces threatening her family. The story blends elements of fantasy, mystery, and mild horror suitable for ages 9-12, with themes of family, adaptation, and bravery. While the book contains some suspenseful moments and supernatural elements, it remains appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Cabinet of Earths 11ME
Cabinet of Earths is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cabinet of Earths works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Cabinet of Earths as 11ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Cabinet of Earths explores fantasy world-building, family, adventure, mystery, and multicultural — 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.
- ✓ 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, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061963193
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction