What reading level is Future shock?

Future shock by Briggs, Elizabeth (Young adult author) is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 720L). Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is Future shock appropriate for?

Future shock is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Future shock?

Future shock is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does Future shock have any content warnings?

Future shock has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Future shock?

Future shock by Briggs, Elizabeth (Young adult author) is 265 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Future shock

Briggs, Elizabeth (Young adult author)

Future shock

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Briggs, Elizabeth (Young adult author)

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp buzz of the time machine fills the air, cold metal pressing against Elena’s skin as the future unfolds before her eyes. She can see every detail, every secret waiting to be uncovered, but the hardest part is not knowing what’s real and what’s meant to be. With just one day to change a destiny that feels set in stone, can Elena rewrite the future before it’s too late?

Themes

FamilyFate and fatalismFoster home careAdventure Science & Nature

Quick Assessment

Future Shock follows Elena Martinez, a teen with an extraordinary memory, who is recruited for a secret mission to travel thirty years into the future. When the team breaks a critical rule, they must race against time to prevent a dire future from becoming reality. Suitable for teens, this novel explores themes of family, fate, and trust, with some suspenseful moments but no graphic content.

Why we rated Future shock 9ME

Future shock is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 720L across 265 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Future shock works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Future shock as 9ME ("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, 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, Future shock explores family, fate and fatalism, foster home care, adventure, and science & nature — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, fate and fatalism, foster home care.

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.