Home free
Kathryn Lasky
Home free
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathryn Lasky
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.
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About This Book
Sam is not just any teenager—he’s a hero fighting to protect a secret wilderness where endangered eagles soar. But when he meets an autistic girl with a mysterious power, everything changes in ways no one expected. Saving nature might just unlock the greatest adventure of all.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Sam as he strives to conserve a wilderness area critical to endangered eagles, intertwining themes of environmental conservation and autism. The story thoughtfully explores an autistic character’s unique perspective and hidden abilities, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who enjoy science fiction with meaningful social themes.
Why we rated Home free 11LE
Home free is written at a Level 6 reading level across 245 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Home free works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Home free 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, Home free explores autism, conservation of natural resources, science fiction, friendship, and family — 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 autism, conservation of natural resources, science fiction.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Based on content and theme analysis
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0027516504
- Pages
- 245
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 1985
- Type
- Fiction