Rewind
William Sleator
Rewind
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by William Sleator
The text is written at a 4th 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
Peter has been given the most incredible power: a chance to rewind time and change the moment he was hit by a car. But with his adoptive parents who don’t get him, a school jock who wants to make his life miserable, and his own hidden talents going unnoticed, what can he really change? This isn’t just about saving his life—it’s about rewriting his whole story.
Quick Assessment
Rewind is a middle-grade science fiction novel about a boy named Peter who gains the ability to travel back in time to prevent his own death. It explores themes of family, bullying, and self-discovery in an age-appropriate way for readers ages 9 to 12. While Peter faces challenges like strained family relationships and social conflict, the story handles these issues thoughtfully without graphic content.
Why we rated Rewind 9ME
Rewind is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rewind works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Rewind as 9ME ("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, social complexity — 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, Rewind explores science & nature, coming of age, family, adventure, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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, coming of age, family.
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
9ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780141311012
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- February 19, 2001
- Type
- Fiction