Last star burning

Name: Last star burning
Author: Caitlin Sangster
ISBN: 9781481486132

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Caitlin Sangster

Reading Level 5-6 ME · Moderate · Emotional Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What if you were blamed for something you didn’t do and had to run for your life? Sev is just 17 when she’s chased from everything familiar, trying to survive in a world full of danger and secrets. But escaping might be only the start of a much bigger fight.

Themes

FantasyFugitives from justiceEpidemicsSurvival Adventure

Quick Assessment

Sev, a teenager accused of a bombing she didn't commit, must flee the only city she has known in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by plague. The story includes a branding punishment, a mother's body displayed in public, threats of execution, and a violent bombing, with some dark and tense moments throughout. Its themes of mistrust, survival, and family loyalty make it a good fit for readers who can handle intense suspense.

Why we rated Last star burning ME (Moderate)

Last star burning is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 396 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.

We rate Last star burning as ME (Moderate, mostly 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 — 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, Last star burning explores fantasy, fugitives from justice, epidemics, survival, and adventure — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, fugitives from justice, epidemics.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

ME · Moderate · Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Mild

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?