Freakling
Lana Krumwiede
Freakling
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lana Krumwiede
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Taemon is the only kid in his city who can’t move things with his mind anymore — and that makes him a freak. But when he’s sent away to the ‘dud farm,’ he finds a place full of surprises where being powerless might just be the real power. What happens when Taemon uncovers a secret that could change everything — but might also put him in the biggest danger of his life?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Freakling is a middle-grade dystopian novel centered on 12-year-old Taemon, who lives in a society where everyone has telekinetic powers except him after an accident. The story explores themes of acceptance, identity, and the dangers of unchecked power, suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the book involves exile and political intrigue but handles these themes in an accessible, thoughtful way.
Why we rated Freakling 12ME
Freakling 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, Freakling works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Freakling 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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, Freakling explores coming of age, dystopian, science & nature, friendship, and politics & government — 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 coming of age, dystopian, science & nature.
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
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Freak
Marcella Fleischman Pixley
Freak
Marcella Fleischman Pixley
Freaks
Annette Curtis Klause
Freaks
Annette Curtis Klause
Freaks
Kieran Larwood
Freaks
Kieran Larwood
Freaks Like Us
Susan Vaught
Freaks Like Us
Susan Vaught
Freaky Stuff
Richard Tulloch
Freaky Stuff
Richard Tulloch
Freaked Out
Alice Alfonsi
Freaked Out
Alice Alfonsi
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763662042
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction