Mutiny in Time
James Dashner
Mutiny in Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James Dashner
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: time isn’t just ticking—it’s breaking. Dak, Sera, and Riq hold the power to jump back to a dangerous moment in history, but changing the past is trickier than it seems. And that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
Mutiny in Time follows three young friends who travel through history to fix a disrupted timeline by addressing a mutiny aboard the Santa Maria. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, this middle-grade adventure blends historical fiction with fantasy elements. The story includes mild peril related to time travel and historical conflict but is generally appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Mutiny in Time 9LP
Mutiny in Time is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mutiny in Time works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Mutiny in Time as 9LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Mutiny in Time explores adventure, friendship, historical, fantasy world-building, and science & nature — 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, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781484461334
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Scholastic, Incorporated
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction