Experiment (the Factory Book 2)
Catherine Egan
Experiment (the Factory Book 2)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Catherine Egan
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 time stopped for you, but the world kept moving on? Imagine waking up to find twenty years have passed, but you’re still thirteen, stuck in a place full of secrets and danger. Now Asher must figure out why his best friend has changed sides—and if he can survive the experiments that await.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Asher Doyle, a thirteen-year-old boy who becomes trapped in a time-freezing experiment at the Factory. After twenty years pass, Asher must navigate complex friendships and confront dark secrets in a story that explores themes of time, loyalty, and courage. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains suspenseful moments and mild peril appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Experiment (the Factory Book 2) 12ME
Experiment (the Factory Book 2) is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Experiment (the Factory Book 2) works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Experiment (the Factory Book 2) 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 — 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, Experiment (the Factory Book 2) explores science & nature, friendship, adventure, science fiction, and coming of age — 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 science & nature, friendship, 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
- 9781546111092
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Scholastic Incorporated
- Published
- 2025
- Type
- Fiction