Long-ago lives
Gary L. Blackwood
Long-ago lives
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gary L. Blackwood
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Explore the mysteries of past lives and the fascinating ideas behind reincarnation, including memories that surface through hypnosis and spontaneous recall. Delve into stories and scientific cases that challenge what we know about memory and karma. This engaging journey invites readers to question how the past might shape who we are today.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 7-8 book with gentle content intensity. It's a Sweet Spot read — challenging text with gentle themes, ideal for advanced or 2e readers. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Long-ago lives 12C
Long-ago lives is written at a Level 7-8 reading level (approximately 8,370 words). Strong independent readers around grade 8.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Long-ago lives works for readers up to grade 9.3.
Read aloud, Long-ago lives takes about 56 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Long-ago lives as 12C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Long-ago lives explores reincarnation, science & nature, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about reincarnation, science & nature, mystery.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Secrets of the Unexplained series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Secrets of the Unexplained Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0761407472
- Publisher
- Cavendish Square Publishing
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 8,370
- Read-Aloud
- ~56 min