What reading level is Glory O'Brien's history of the future?

Glory O'Brien's history of the future by A. S. King is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 610L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Glory O'Brien's history of the future appropriate for?

Glory O'Brien's history of the future is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Suicide, Political Violence, Oppression.

What genre is Glory O'Brien's history of the future?

Glory O'Brien's history of the future is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does Glory O'Brien's history of the future have any content warnings?

Glory O'Brien's history of the future has a HootRating of 8IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Suicide, Political Violence, Oppression. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Glory O'Brien's history of the future?

Glory O'Brien's history of the future by A. S. King is 306 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Glory O'Brien's history of the future

A. S. King

Glory O'Brien's history of the future

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by A. S. King

Reading Level 3-4 8IE Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

Glory O'Brien has a secret power that lets her see the past and future of anyone she looks at. But when she sees a scary future where freedom and rights disappear, she knows she has to act fast. Can one girl’s vision change the whole world?

Themes

Coming of AgeFeminismClairvoyanceFamily Social Justice

Quick Assessment

This novel explores heavy themes such as loss, suicide, and societal collapse, woven into a story about a teenage girl who develops clairvoyant abilities. It is appropriate for mature middle-grade readers and young teens, particularly those ready to engage with complex emotional and social issues. Parents should be aware of the intense topics around mental health, political upheaval, and the portrayal of violence and oppression.

Why we rated Glory O'Brien's history of the future 8IE

Glory O'Brien's history of the future is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 610L across 306 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Glory O'Brien's history of the future works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate Glory O'Brien's history of the future as 8IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Political Violence, Oppression.

Thematically, Glory O'Brien's history of the future explores coming of age, feminism, clairvoyance, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 coming of age, feminism, clairvoyance.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 5-8 — 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.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.