What reading level is Kiss the Dust?

Kiss the Dust by Elizabeth Laird is at a Level 7 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Kiss the Dust appropriate for?

Kiss the Dust is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 12ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Kiss the Dust?

Kiss the Dust is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Kiss the Dust have any content warnings?

Kiss the Dust has a HootRating of 12ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Kiss the Dust?

Kiss the Dust by Elizabeth Laird is 300 pages.

Kiss the Dust

Elizabeth Laird

Kiss the Dust

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Elizabeth Laird

Reading Level 7 12ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th 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.

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About This Book

What would you do if you had to leave everything behind to stay safe? Thirteen-year-old Tara's life changes forever when her family escapes from Iraq to an unfamiliar land. Can they find hope and safety in a place filled with uncertainty?

Themes

RefugeesFamilyCourageDisplacementComing of Age Multicultural

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Tara, a 13-year-old girl whose family flees Iraq due to her father's involvement with the Kurdish resistance. The story explores themes of displacement, courage, and resilience as the family faces challenges crossing into Iran. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully addresses the refugee experience with sensitivity.