Lost Art
Simon Morden
Lost Art
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Simon Morden
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: Earth has been stuck in a Dark Age for a thousand years, where magic and machines from long ago are hidden away by a powerful Church. Benzamir Michael Mahmood returns with amazing technology that could change everything—but deep beneath a snowy monastery lies a treasure with power no one can control. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set a thousand years after a devastating war, this middle-grade fantasy explores a world where science is forbidden and ancient technology is buried by a secretive Church. The story follows Benzamir Michael Mahmood, who returns to Earth with advanced technology that challenges the status quo, leading to discoveries with potentially dangerous consequences. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book includes themes of fantasy, adventure, and moral complexity.
Why we rated Lost Art 11MT
Lost Art is written at a Level 6 reading level across 285 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lost Art works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Lost Art as 11MT ("Moderate — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, 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, Lost Art explores fantasy & magic, adventure, mystery, science & nature, and moral complexity — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy & magic, adventure, mystery.
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
11MT — Moderate — ThematicReal 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Lost Page
Michael Dahl
Lost Page
Michael Dahl
The lost realm
J. D. Rinehart
The lost realm
J. D. Rinehart
Lost Kingdom
Matt Myklusch
Lost Kingdom
Matt Myklusch
Lost
P. C. Cast
Lost
P. C. Cast
Lost
Sarah Prineas
Lost
Sarah Prineas
Lost worlds, unknown horizons
Robert Silverberg
Lost worlds, unknown horizons
Robert Silverberg
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781407077888
- Pages
- 285
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction