Storm in Time
Debbi Needham
Storm in Time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Debbi Needham
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
Simon and Derrick stumble into a storm that doesn’t just bring rain—it brings time itself crashing down! Thrust into the year 1791, they must race against a supernatural force threatening to erase history. Saving the past means saving their future, but can they do it before the storm’s fury consumes everything?
Quick Assessment
Storm in Time is a historical middle-grade fiction novel about two friends who accidentally travel back to 1791 and face a supernatural storm threatening both past and present. Suitable for ages 9-12, it blends adventure with historical elements and mild fantasy peril. The story emphasizes teamwork, courage, and the impact of history on our lives, with no intense or graphic content.
Why we rated Storm in Time 9LE
Storm in Time is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 150 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Storm in Time works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Storm in 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, Storm in Time explores adventure, historical, 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, historical, friendship.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781590921647
- Pages
- 150
- Publisher
- Windstorm Creative
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction