Homesmind
Pamela Sargent
Homesmind
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Pamela Sargent
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Anra is different—she can't mindspeak like everyone else, but that makes her special in a world where silence can be deadly. When a mysterious new comet whispers with the voices of the dead, only Anra and the solitaries have the power to stop a disaster that could change everything. What happens when the outcasts hold the fate of two worlds in their hands?
Quick Assessment
Homesmind tells the story of Anra, a girl born without the ability to mindspeak in a futuristic world where silent communication is the norm. The book explores themes of isolation, acceptance, and courage as Anra and other outcasts, known as solitaries, face a mysterious threat from a new comet. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild sci-fi peril and thoughtful themes about belonging and identity.
Why we rated Homesmind 11ME
Homesmind is written at a Level 6 reading level across 204 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Homesmind works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Homesmind as 11ME ("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, physical peril, 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, Homesmind explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, coming of age, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, friendship.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Homes
Rosie McCormick
Homes
Rosie McCormick
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Homecoming
Kass Morgan
Homecoming
Kass Morgan
Living homes
Suzi Moore
Living homes
Suzi Moore
Homes in the future
Lambert, Mark
Homes in the future
Lambert, Mark
Homes
Victoria Parker
Homes
Victoria Parker
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781306591720
- Pages
- 204
- Publisher
- Open Road Media
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction