Ominous choices

Name: Ominous choices
Author: Jerry B. Jenkins
ISBN: 0842358072

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jerry B. Jenkins

Left Behind: The Kids

Reading Level 5-6 LP · Mild · Physical Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

As Cheryl goes into labor in Wisconsin, Vicki stays by her side, offering support and comfort. Meanwhile, Lionel faces a tough challenge after an accident leaves him trapped, and Chang Wong keeps a close eye on unusual events hinting at trouble ahead for the friends. Together, they navigate difficult choices that test their courage and faith.

Themes

Good and EvilChristian LifeFriendshipCourage

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Ominous choices LP (Mild)

Ominous choices is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 192 pages (approximately 34,631 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Ominous choices on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Ominous choices runs about 3.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Ominous choices as LP (Mild, mostly 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.

Thematically, Ominous choices explores good and evil, christian life, friendship, and courage — 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about good and evil, christian life, friendship.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 36 more books in the Left Behind: The Kids series.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LP · Mild · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Mild ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.