Discordia
Dena K. Salmon
Discordia
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dena K. Salmon
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Lance feels out of place at his new school, but in the thrilling online game Discordia, he’s a powerful zombie sorcerer leveling up fast and making new friends. When a mysterious player whisks Lance and his hobgoblin companion into the real Discordia, they must face dangerous quests and uncover secrets that could change their world forever. Together with a runaway named Rayva, they navigate a land on the edge of war, battling monsters and their own fears in a race to save both Discordia and themselves.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, physical danger. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated Discordia 10MP
Discordia is written at a Level 5-6 reading level (approximately 55,456 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Discordia works for readers up to grade 7.2.
Read aloud, Discordia runs about 6.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Discordia as 10MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Physical Danger, War & Conflict.
Thematically, Discordia explores friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423111092
- Publisher
- Hyperion
- Published
- April 14, 2009
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 55,456
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 10m