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Charlie Bone and the time twister

Jenny Nimmo

Cover of Charlie Bone and the time twister

Charlie Bone and the time twister

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jenny Nimmo

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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

What if someone from the past suddenly appeared in your school hallway? Imagine Henry Yewbeam, lost since 1916, showing up out of nowhere, needing your help to find his family. Can Charlie unravel the mystery before time runs out?

Themes

Time TravelMagicSchoolsAdventureFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Charlie Bone as he navigates a magical school while helping a boy who mysteriously disappeared in 1916. The story involves themes of time travel and adventure suitable for ages 9-12, with mild suspense but no intense content. It’s an engaging read that encourages imagination and problem-solving.

Why we rated Charlie Bone and the time twister 11LP

Charlie Bone and the time twister is written at a Level 6 reading level across 276 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Charlie Bone and the time twister works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Charlie Bone and the time twister as 11LP ("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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Charlie Bone and the time twister explores time travel, magic, schools, adventure, 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 time travel, magic, schools.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

276 pages
ISBN
9780545174145
Pages
276
Publisher
Scholastic Paperbacks
Published
2013
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Time TravelMagicSchoolsSchool StoriesBrothersFantasy FictionBoarding School StudentsSchool ChildrenCousinsBoarding SchoolsEnglandChild and Youth FictionWitchesSpiesHumourMagieAmitié

People

Charlie Bone

Places

England