What reading level is Scattered dust?

Scattered dust by Ann E. Burg is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 680L). Recommended for Middle Grades Plus readers (Ages 11+).

What age is Scattered dust appropriate for?

Scattered dust is recommended for Ages 11+. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: War & Conflict.

What genre is Scattered dust?

Scattered dust is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

How many pages is Scattered dust?

Scattered dust by Ann E. Burg is 218 pages (approximately 15,158 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Scattered dust

Ann E. Burg

Scattered dust

Q: Does Scattered dust have any content warnings?

Scattered dust has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: War & Conflict. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ann E. Burg

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 11+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Years after escaping Vietnam, Matt Pin carries a heavy secret that shadows his new life in America. Surrounded by a caring family, he faces moments that challenge him to face his past and find healing. This moving story explores courage, identity, and the power of hope.

Themes

Vietnam WarAdoptionFamily Coming of Age Multicultural

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, emotional: identity & self-discovery, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 11+.

Why we rated Scattered dust 9ME

Scattered dust is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 680L across 218 pages (approximately 15,158 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Scattered dust works for readers up to grade 6.1.

Read aloud, Scattered dust runs about 1.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Scattered dust 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Social: War & Conflict.

Thematically, Scattered dust explores vietnam war, adoption, family, coming of age, and multicultural — 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 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about vietnam war, adoption, family.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.