Links
Charles Panati
Links
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Charles Panati
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if a simple experiment could pull someone into a mysterious world beyond anything you've ever imagined? When Ben tries hypnosis with his friends Alison and Stan, things go terribly wrong, and Alison gets trapped in a strange place no one can reach. Can Ben find a way to save her before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores themes of hypnosis and mysterious otherworldly experiences through the story of a psychologist whose experiment goes awry. Intended for ages 9-12, it contains suspense and mild psychological tension but no graphic content. Parents should note the book's eerie tone and focus on supernatural elements, which may intrigue readers interested in mystery and science fiction.
Why we rated Links 11LE
Links is written at a Level 6 reading level across 227 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Links works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Links as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Links explores mystery, science & nature, and psychological fiction — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, science & nature, psychological fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 0395262933
- Pages
- 227
- Publisher
- Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company
- Published
- 1978
- Type
- Fiction