Cinder
Rick DeMarinis
Cinder
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rick DeMarinis
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
A man with only memories and a mysterious Arabian giant meet in a blur of action, their lives tangled with a secret power as old as time. From California's sunlit beaches to the depths of the Grand Canyon and a buzzing trailer camp near Vegas, danger and magic collide. Just when you think you understand what's happening, everything flips—what will happen next?
Quick Assessment
Cinder is a middle-grade fiction novel that follows a man in his later years and an enigmatic Arabian giant as they navigate a breathtaking adventure across iconic American landscapes. The story features elements of fantasy and suspense, including themes of resurrection and mysterious powers. It is suitable for readers aged 9-12, though parents should be aware of some intense action scenes and supernatural elements.
Why we rated Cinder 11ME
Cinder is written at a Level 6 reading level across 209 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cinder works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Cinder 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, physical peril, 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, Cinder explores adventure, fantasy world-building, 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
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
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
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
- 0374123640
- Pages
- 209
- Publisher
- Farrar Straus Giroux
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction