Eight days on planet Earth
Cat Jordan
Eight days on planet Earth
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cat Jordan
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The dry summer air buzzes with the distant hum of cicadas as Matty spots a shimmering figure standing alone in the empty field by his farm. Her eyes sparkle like stars, and she whispers secrets of faraway worlds and spaceships waiting to take her home. What if this mysterious girl holds the key to everything Matty thought was impossible—and maybe even to his own heart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Matty, a teenage boy grappling with his father’s departure, who encounters a mysterious girl claiming to be from another planet. Set against themes of loss, belief, and young love, it explores emotional growth alongside extraterrestrial mystery. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains gentle romantic elements and thoughtful reflections on family change and trust.
Why we rated Eight days on planet Earth 12ME
Eight days on planet Earth is written at a Level 7 reading level across 307 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Eight days on planet Earth works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Eight days on planet Earth as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Eight days on planet Earth explores extraterrestrial beings, science fiction, coming of age, family, and romance — 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 extraterrestrial beings, science fiction, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780062571731
- Pages
- 307
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction