Changing times
Tim Kennemore
Changing times
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tim Kennemore
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
Tick-tock, the eerie chime of an alarm clock fills the air, its cold metal cool against Victoria’s skin. Suddenly, time starts to twist and bend around her, revealing secrets hidden in the past. What will she uncover about her family’s quiet sadness?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of time travel intertwined with family challenges, focusing on Victoria’s journey to understand her parents’ emotional struggles. Appropriate for children ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses issues of neglect and unhappiness without graphic content, making it suitable for readers ready to engage with complex family dynamics.
Why we rated Changing times 9ME
Changing times is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 149 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Changing times works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Changing times 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 — 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, Changing times explores time travel, family, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about time travel, family, coming of age.
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
9ME — 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
1/10A 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
- 0571132855
- Pages
- 149
- Publisher
- Faber and Faber
- Published
- 1984
- Type
- Fiction