Determiner
Jean Knight Pace
Determiner
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jean Knight Pace
The text is written at a 7th 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
What if you discovered a secret power that could change everything? Imagine speeding up while the world slows down, but you can't control it or even talk about it. Henry must protect his family and uncover a dangerous plot, but the real question is—who is the true target?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade sci-fantasy novel follows thirteen-year-old Henry, the president's son, as he discovers a mysterious power and navigates a complex world of secrets and danger. The story includes themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery, with some suspenseful moments involving assassination threats. Suitable for ages 9-12, it blends fantasy and science fiction elements with historical and political settings.
Why we rated Determiner 12ME
Determiner is written at a Level 7 reading level across 390 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Determiner works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Determiner as 12ME ("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, Determiner explores friendship, family, adventure, science & nature, and fantasy world-building — 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 friendship, family, adventure.
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
12ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781957936055
- Pages
- 390
- Publisher
- J Publishing
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction