Stealing Time
Glenna Sloan
Stealing Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Glenna Sloan
The text is written at a 4th 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
The sharp scent of rain mixes with the nervous hum of a new town as Ross steps into the unknown. His heart races when he meets Claire, the one bright spot in a place full of shadows. But friendship here is fragile, and trust might be the greatest risk of all.
Quick Assessment
Stealing Time follows Ross, a newcomer struggling to find his place while navigating tricky social dynamics and the challenge of forming friendships. Suitable for ages 9-12, this middle-grade novel explores themes of trust, belonging, and social challenges in a thoughtful way without intense content. Parents can expect a story that gently addresses friendship and adjustment issues common to this age group.
Why we rated Stealing Time 9LE
Stealing Time is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 126 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Stealing Time works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Stealing Time as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Stealing Time explores friendship, social justice, and coming of age — 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 friendship, social justice, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780880922661
- Pages
- 126
- Publisher
- Royal Fireworks Publishing Company
- Published
- October 1998
- Type
- Fiction