Landry Park
Bethany Hagen
Landry Park
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel
by Bethany Hagen
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
Madeline Landry is part of the richest family in a world powered by nuclear energy, but she’s not like the others—she’d rather dive into a book than dance at fancy balls. When she discovers how her family's luxurious life hurts others, everything she believes in starts to crumble. Now, with secrets swirling and whispers of rebellion, Madeline must decide what truly matters—her family or her heart.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade dystopian novel explores themes of social class, justice, and environmental impact through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old protagonist. It delves into complex issues such as the consequences of nuclear energy use and societal inequality, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who can handle thoughtful, character-driven stories with some romantic and suspenseful elements. Parents should note the presence of mild tension related to rebellion and societal conflict, but no graphic content.
Why we rated Landry Park 12ME
Landry Park is written at a Level 7 reading level across 374 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Landry Park works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Landry Park as 12ME ("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, social complexity, 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, Landry Park explores science & nature, social justice, romance, coming of age, and adventure — 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, social justice, romance.
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
12ME — 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780803739482
- Pages
- 374
- Publisher
- Penguin Group (USA) LLC
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction