Going, going, gone
Nicholas O. Time
Going, going, gone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Nicholas O. Time
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if a single book could whisk you away to a whole different decade? Imagine stepping into the 1950s, where everything from school to style feels completely new—and a little tricky. Can three friends figure out how to get back home before time runs out?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle grade fiction follows three friends who travel back to the 1950s through a magical library book, exploring themes of history, friendship, and school life. Suitable for children ages 9-12, it offers a gentle introduction to time travel and cultural differences without intense conflict or mature content. Parents can expect a light adventure that encourages curiosity about the past and the value of reading.
Why we rated Going, going, gone 9LT
Going, going, gone is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 145 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Going, going, gone works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Going, going, gone as 9LT ("Light — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Going, going, gone explores adventure, friendship, time travel, historical, and books and reading — 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 adventure, friendship, time travel.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LT — Light — ThematicNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481467292
- Pages
- 145
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction