Obsidio
Amie Kaufman
Obsidio
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Amie Kaufman
Illustrated by Lu, Marie, 1984- illustrator
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
This is not just any space adventure—it's a battle for survival that will shake the stars themselves. Kady and her friends are trapped on a cramped ship with thousands of refugees, racing back to a planet transformed by war. But with old friends turning into enemies, who will stand strong when the final fight begins?
Quick Assessment
Obsidio concludes a thrilling science fiction trilogy about survival and resistance in a war-torn interplanetary setting. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh realities of conflict with some intense moments of peril. Parents should note the presence of battle scenes and emotional complexity as characters face difficult choices.
Why we rated Obsidio 12ME
Obsidio is written at a Level 8 reading level across 618 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Obsidio works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Obsidio 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, Obsidio explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, family, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, friendship.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553499193
- Pages
- 618
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction