Penny in Time
Anna Bartlett
Penny in Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anna Bartlett
The text is written at a 6th 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
Have you ever felt like you just want to run away from a place that’s supposed to be home? Yared is stuck at his nanna’s, surrounded by unfamiliar things and old stories, wishing for his own room and his parents. But then, a mysterious box of old coins shows up, and suddenly, the past and present collide in ways he never imagined—what secrets will he uncover?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade historical fiction follows Yared, a boy who struggles with being away from his parents and adjusting to his grandmother’s stern household. His discovery of old coins leads him on a journey that connects him to past lives and teaches valuable lessons about history, love, and belonging. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book gently explores themes of family change and self-discovery without any intense content.
Why we rated Penny in Time 11LE
Penny in Time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Penny in Time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Penny in Time as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Penny in Time explores family, coming of age, historical, and adventure — 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 family, coming of age, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781921479489
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Glass House Books
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction