Maximillian Fly
Angie Sage
Maximillian Fly
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Angie Sage
The text is written at a 8th 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
Maximillian Fly's door bursts open in the dead of night, and two scared children stumble inside, hunted by shadowy figures. His many arms and shimmering indigo wings twitch with worry—can he keep them safe in a city where trust is rare and danger lurks around every corner? Just as the walls close in, a secret plan sparks—will it be enough to outrun the watchful eyes of the Orb?
Quick Assessment
Maximillian Fly is a middle-grade science fiction novel featuring a unique protagonist with cockroach-like features who helps two children escape an oppressive regime. The story explores themes of prejudice, family, and survival in a richly imagined world. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes suspense and mild peril but no graphic content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Maximillian Fly 12ME
Maximillian Fly is written at a Level 8 reading level across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Maximillian Fly works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Maximillian Fly as 12ME ("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, 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, Maximillian Fly explores adventure, friendship, family, science & nature, and survival — 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 adventure, friendship, 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
12ME — 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
- 9780062571182
- Pages
- 400
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction