The Book of Doom
Barry Hutchison
The Book of Doom
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barry Hutchison
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
Here's a secret: Heaven has lost the Book of Everything, and they think the Devil's crew might have taken it. Adam and Angelo are sent on a wild rescue mission through strange worlds like Valhalla and Hades, but getting there is just the start of their trouble. What mysteries will they uncover in these Afterworlds? That's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows two boys sent on a mission to recover a lost magical book believed to be stolen by inhabitants of Hell. Along their journey through various mythical afterworlds, they encounter humor, adventure, and challenges suitable for readers aged 9-12. The story contains mild peril and fantasy violence but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated The Book of Doom 12LP
The Book of Doom is written at a Level 7 reading level across 397 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Book of Doom works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Book of Doom 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, The Book of Doom explores fantasy world-building, adventure, humor, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, humor.
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.
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
3/10A 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
- 9780007440917
- Pages
- 397
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Children's Books
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction