Renegade
Gibbons, Alan
Renegade
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gibbons, Alan
The text is written at a 7th 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
What if you discovered your ancestor was a powerful sorcerer who controlled an entire city with terrifying magic? In 1830s East End, Samuel Rector's 'rat boys' spread fear with their dark powers, but one boy stands against them all. Can Paul, the renegade, break the curse of his family before the King of London breaks free?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1830s London, this middle-grade novel blends history with supernatural horror as Paul confronts his ancestor's dark legacy. The story involves themes of good versus evil, demonology, and family curses, with some elements of menace and fantasy violence. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of spooky and intense themes related to dark magic and fear.
Why we rated Renegade 12ME
Renegade is written at a Level 7 reading level across 332 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Renegade works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Renegade 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, Renegade explores history, horror stories, good and evil, demonology, and juvenile fiction — 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 history, horror stories, good and evil.
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
1/10A 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
- 9781444000795
- Pages
- 332
- Publisher
- Orion Children's
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction