Healing time
Anthony Owen Colby
Healing time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anthony Owen Colby
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if the hardest wounds aren't the ones you can see? In a world where healing takes more than just time, a young hero faces challenges that test both heart and courage. Can they find the strength to mend what seems broken forever?
Quick Assessment
Healing Time is a middle-grade fiction book suitable for children ages 9 to 12. It explores themes of emotional growth and resilience through a compelling story that encourages empathy and understanding. Parents should note it deals with emotional challenges in an age-appropriate way without graphic content.
Why we rated Healing time 11LE
Healing time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 281 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Healing time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Healing time as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Healing time explores coming of age, family, and friendship — 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, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
A time to heal
Timmen L. Cermak
A time to heal
Timmen L. Cermak
Healing the wounds of childhood
Dennis J. McGuire
Healing the wounds of childhood
Dennis J. McGuire
A Healing Place
Kate Atwood, John Kelly
A Healing Place
Kate Atwood, John Kelly
Healing Stories
Jacqueline Golding
Healing Stories
Jacqueline Golding
Healing Through Nature and Animals
Susan Smith Cohen
Healing Through Nature and Animals
Susan Smith Cohen
Healing Rites of Passage
Peter James Kearney
Healing Rites of Passage
Peter James Kearney
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0872234827
- Pages
- 281
- Publisher
- Seaview Books : trade distribution by Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction