Daylight Saving
Edward Hogan
Daylight Saving
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Hogan
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp splash of water cuts through the quiet air as Daniel spots a girl swimming alone in the shimmering lake. Her movements are graceful but something about her—bruises fading and then worsening—feels like a mystery trapped in time. As shadows creep closer, Daniel wonders if he can change a past that’s already written.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel blends fantasy and ghost story elements, following a teenager named Daniel on a reluctant vacation where he encounters a mysterious girl with a troubled past. The story explores themes of trauma, healing, and the supernatural, suitable for teens comfortable with mild fantasy violence and emotional complexity. It contains some references to depression and injury but handles them thoughtfully within an adventurous narrative.
Why we rated Daylight Saving 11ME
Daylight Saving is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Daylight Saving works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Daylight Saving 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, Daylight Saving explores young adult fiction, ghost stories, fantasy, action & adventure, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about young adult fiction, ghost stories, fantasy.
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763661953
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction