Max Tilt
Peter Lerangis
Max Tilt
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
80 Days or Die
by Peter Lerangis
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of old paper fills the air as Max flips through a dusty, forgotten manuscript. Every page crackles with secrets from his great-great-great-grandfather Jules Verne’s incredible adventures. With his mom’s health fading, Max’s heart races—could these magical clues be the key to saving her?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Max Tilt, a middle-grade adventure novel by Peter Lerangis, follows thirteen-year-old Max as he uncovers a mysterious manuscript by his ancestor Jules Verne. The story blends historical fiction with magical elements as Max and his cousin race against time to find a cure for Max's mother’s worsening illness. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains themes of family, magic, and courage with mild peril and emotional depth.
Why we rated Max Tilt 11ME
Max Tilt is written at a Level 6 reading level across 297 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Max Tilt works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Max Tilt 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Illness & Injury.
Thematically, Max Tilt explores adventure, family, magic, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, family, magic.
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.
Content Flags
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062441058
- Pages
- 297
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction