Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Sunrise
Mike Mullin
Sunrise
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mike Mullin
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if a massive volcano eruption changed the world forever? Imagine Alex and Darla struggling to survive in a dangerous new reality where every day is a fight to stay alive. But when they decide to build a safe community, will their hope be enough to face the challenges ahead?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set nearly a year after the devastating Yellowstone supervolcano eruption, this young adult novel follows Alex and Darla as they navigate survival in a harsh, changed world. The story explores themes of resilience, community-building, and environmental disaster, making it suitable for teens interested in action-packed survival stories. Some intense situations related to natural disaster and survival challenges are depicted, appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Why we rated Sunrise 10ME
Sunrise is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 820L across 546 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sunrise works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate Sunrise as 10ME ("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, physical peril — 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, Sunrise explores survival, action & adventure, social issues, young adult fiction, and volcanoes — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, action & adventure, social issues.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — 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
1/10A 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
- 9781939100016
- Pages
- 546
- Publisher
- Tanglewood Press
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 820L