Hunting by Stars
Cherie Dimaline
Hunting by Stars
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cherie Dimaline
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
The cold clang of metal doors echoes through the dark halls where French is trapped, the sharp sting of fear prickling his skin. Somewhere nearby, whispers of betrayal and lost dreams swirl like shadows, twisting what was once safe into a chilling mystery. How far will French go to hold onto hope and the family waiting for him beyond these walls?
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores a dystopian future where Indigenous youths are imprisoned in a government facility that drains their ability to dream. It tackles heavy themes such as trauma, betrayal, and survival, including mature content like self-harm, substance abuse, and emotional manipulation. Recommended for mature teens aged 13 and up who can engage thoughtfully with challenging and intense subject matter.
Why we rated Hunting by Stars 12VE
Hunting by Stars is written at a Level 8 reading level across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hunting by Stars works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Hunting by Stars as 12VE ("Vivid — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. 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: Animal Death, Substance Abuse, Physical Injury, Emotional Abuse.
Thematically, Hunting by Stars explores young adult fiction, science fiction, apocalyptic & post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about young adult fiction, science fiction, apocalyptic & post-apocalyptic.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12VE — Vivid — EmotionalGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9781419753473
- Pages
- 400
- Publisher
- Marrow Thieves
- Published
- Oct 19, 2021
- Type
- Fiction