Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Dust lands
Moira Young
Dust lands
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Raging star
by Moira Young
The text is written at a 3rd 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
Saba and her brother Lugh rally a brave band of rebels to fight against the oppressive DeMalo and his forces. As the battle rages, Saba wrestles with a tempting offer to help create a hopeful new world. Adventure and tough choices collide in this gripping continuation of a thrilling journey.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, physical danger. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Dust lands 8MP
Dust lands is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 450L across 432 pages (approximately 99,171 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dust lands works for readers up to grade 5.5.
Read aloud, Dust lands runs about 11 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Dust lands as 8MP ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Physical Danger.
Thematically, Dust lands explores family, adventure, science & nature, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, adventure, science & nature.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Dust Lands Trilogy series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8MP — 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
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Dust Lands Trilogy Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442430020
- Pages
- 432
- Publisher
- McElderry Books, Margaret K.
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 99,171
- Lexile
- 450L
- Read-Aloud
- ~11h 1m
- Text Density
- Standard