Sent
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Sent
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you found out you were lost children from the past, living in the wrong time? Jonah and Chip, along with Katherine and Alex, are thrown back to 1483 with a mission: fix history or never return home. But what if fixing history means facing a danger that could change everything forever?
Quick Assessment
Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix is a middle-grade science fiction novel that explores time travel and historical mystery centered around the missing princes of England in 1483. The story involves themes of identity, history, and difficult choices, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book touches on historical murder and the tension of altering time, but it is presented in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Sent 12ME
Sent is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sent works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Sent 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, 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, Sent explores adventure, historical, science & nature, family, and mystery — 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 ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, science & nature.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Found
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Found
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Children of refuge
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Children of refuge
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Caught
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Caught
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Time Shifters
Kate Frost
Time Shifters
Kate Frost
Turnabout
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Turnabout
Margaret Peterson Haddix
The lost children
Carolyn Cohagan
The lost children
Carolyn Cohagan
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416996446
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Nonfiction