The Burning
Robert Lawrence Stine
The Burning
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Fear Street Saga #3
by Robert Lawrence Stine
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
There's a secret about Daniel and Nora's love—one powerful enough to challenge the darkest evil haunting Nora's family. Their bond might be the only thing standing between safety and destruction, but that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This suspenseful young adult horror novel follows Daniel and Nora, two teenagers from rival families who discover their forbidden love holds the key to stopping a terrifying evil threatening Nora's family. Suitable for ages 13 and up, the story includes themes of witchcraft and family conflict typical of the horror genre. Parents should note the presence of supernatural elements and suspenseful scenarios.
Why we rated The Burning 9ME
The Burning is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 179 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Burning works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Burning as 9ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, The Burning explores horror, witchcraft, young adult fiction, romance, and family — 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 horror, witchcraft, young adult fiction.
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
9ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Burned
Sara Shepard
Burned
Sara Shepard
Circle of Fire
Robert Lawrence Stine
Circle of Fire
Robert Lawrence Stine
Sunburn
Robert Lawrence Stine
Sunburn
Robert Lawrence Stine
The Burning Time
Carol Matas
The Burning Time
Carol Matas
Bad Witch Burning
Jessica Lewis
Bad Witch Burning
Jessica Lewis
These Witches Don't Burn
Isabel Sterling
These Witches Don't Burn
Isabel Sterling
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780671868338
- Pages
- 179
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction