Dark tomorrow
Jeremiah Franklin
Dark tomorrow
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Rise of the Crow
by Jeremiah Franklin
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Sawyer clutches his father's shotgun tight as the world around him crumbles into chaos. Every shadow could hide danger, but he’s not just fighting to survive—he’s fighting to stay human. Then Sara appears, fierce and fearless, ready to change everything—but can Sawyer trust her?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Dark Tomorrow is a thrilling middle-grade novel about a 16-year-old boy navigating a post-apocalyptic world after a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity. The story explores themes of survival, leadership, and complex relationships amidst violence and societal collapse, making it suitable for mature readers aged 9-12 who can handle intense situations. Parents should be aware of content involving weapon use, violent encounters, and themes of betrayal and loss.
Why we rated Dark tomorrow 11IE
Dark tomorrow is written at a Level 6 reading level across 295 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dark tomorrow works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Dark tomorrow as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Weapon Use, Death, Betrayal.
Thematically, Dark tomorrow explores survival, adventure, coming of age, romance, and post-apocalyptic — 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 survival, adventure, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781948671057
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- Month9books
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction