Forbidden
Jana Oliver
Forbidden
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jana Oliver
The text is written at a 8th 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
I have a secret: Riley's life is anything but normal. Her dad has been taken by a dark necromancer, and the demons are watching her every move. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Forbidden follows Riley, a young demon trapper facing dangerous supernatural challenges, including her father's kidnapping and complicated relationships. Suitable for middle-grade readers, this story blends fantasy and family themes with moderate suspense and mild peril. Parents should note the presence of supernatural elements and some emotional tension.
Why we rated Forbidden 12ME
Forbidden is written at a Level 8 reading level across 432 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Forbidden works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Forbidden 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, Forbidden explores supernatural, family, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about supernatural, family, 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781447205067
- Pages
- 432
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction