Supersonic
Jonny Zucker
Supersonic
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jonny Zucker
Illustrated by Woodman, Ned, 1978- illustrator
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 roar of the rocket fills your ears as Max grips the controls, the smell of burnt fuel sharp in the air. Suddenly, stars blur past and the cold of space wraps around him like a shadow. Can Max, the master magician and fearless escapologist, stop a terrifying alien race before they turn Earth into their prison? The fate of everyone hangs in the balance.
Quick Assessment
Supersonic follows Max, a skilled magician and escapologist, as he embarks on a daring space mission to protect Earth from a dangerous alien threat. This middle-grade adventure features themes of bravery, teamwork, and intergalactic conflict, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the story includes action-driven suspense and imaginative alien encounters but no graphic content.
Why we rated Supersonic 9LE
Supersonic is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 140 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Supersonic works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Supersonic 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, Supersonic explores adventure, science & nature, fantasy world-building, and friendship — 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, fantasy world-building.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467712088
- Pages
- 140
- Publisher
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction