Food

Name: Food
Author: Peter D. Riley
ISBN: 1575726181

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Peter D. Riley

Cycles in Science

Reading Level 6-7 IP · Intense · Physical Ages 9-12 Matched Page-Turner

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes. Its HootRating code, IP, means intense content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

Discover the fascinating journey of energy through the natural world, where plants, animals, and tiny organisms all play vital roles in the circle of life. This story explores how every creature depends on another, highlighting the delicate balance that keeps our planet thriving. Along the way, witness the challenges faced in protecting nature while feeding a growing population.

Themes

EcologyFood ChainEnvironmental AwarenessSurvival

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include animal harm, death, unconsciousness. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Food IP (Intense)

Food is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 4,760 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage Food on their own.

Read aloud, Food takes about 32 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Food as IP (Intense, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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: Animal Harm, Death, Unconsciousness, Body Horror, Cannibalism, Violence.

Thematically, Food explores ecology, food chain, environmental awareness, and survival — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about ecology, food chain, environmental awareness.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Cycles in Science series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 9 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.

For Parents

Content Intensity

IP · Intense · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Intense ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.