Life
Mal Peet
Life
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
an exploded diagram
by Mal Peet
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Amid the tension of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Clem Ackroyd, a boy from a working-class family, falls deeply for Frankie Mortimer, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Their love blooms against a backdrop of looming conflict and echoes of past wars, testing their courage and hope. Spanning three generations, this powerful story explores family bonds, sacrifice, and the challenges of growing up when the world feels on the edge of disaster.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include death of an animal, physical danger, injury. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Life 10IP
Life is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 385 pages (approximately 86,545 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Life works for readers up to grade 7.6.
Read aloud, Life runs about 9.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Life as 10IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death of an Animal, Physical Danger, Injury, Sacrifice, Asphyxiation, Mutilation, Unconsciousness, Restraint.
Thematically, Life explores coming of age, family, history, war, and romance — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, history.
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
10IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9780763652272
- Pages
- 385
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 86,545
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 37m
- Text Density
- Standard