Space Runners #2
Jeramey Kraatz
Space Runners #2
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Dark Side of the Moon
by Jeramey Kraatz
The text is written at a 7th 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
Benny Love never imagined his moon trip would turn into a battle to save Earth! With aliens attacking and their leader missing, Benny and the Moon Platoon face danger like never before. But when a mysterious figure from the dark side of the moon appears, trust becomes their biggest challenge—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Benny Love and his friends as they defend Earth against alien attacks from the moon. With themes of friendship, trust, and bravery, it offers exciting action balanced with thoughtful moments. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes some suspense and mild peril but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Space Runners #2 12LP
Space Runners #2 is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Space Runners #2 works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Space Runners #2 as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Space Runners #2 explores adventure, science & nature, friendship, and fantasy world-building — 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 adventure, science & nature, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062446022
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction