Locked in Time
Lois Duncan
Locked in Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lois Duncan
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Nore Robbins feels something dark lurking at her new family's plantation in Louisiana. Strange threats and an eerie chill follow her every step. But that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This suspenseful young adult novel follows Nore Robbins as she confronts unsettling and mysterious threats after moving to Louisiana to live with her new stepfamily. Suitable for readers aged 13-18, the story explores themes of mystery and suspense with subtle social undertones. Parents should note the book's eerie atmosphere and suspense elements, which are appropriate for mature middle and high school readers.
Why we rated Locked in Time 11ME
Locked in Time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Locked in Time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Locked in Time as 11ME ("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, 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, Locked in Time explores mystery, suspense, family, and social issues — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, suspense, family.
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
11ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780808578376
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Turtleback Books
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction