HootRated mascot HootRated

The Carbon Diaries 2017

Saci Lloyd

Cover of The Carbon Diaries 2017

The Carbon Diaries 2017

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Saci Lloyd

Reading Level 7 12ME Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th 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

Imagine living in a world where every breath you take counts because carbon dioxide is rationed. Laura, just eighteen, faces wild storms and shaken governments while trying to live her best university life in London. This isn't just a story about survival—it's a wake-up call about the future that could be ours.

Themes

Quick Assessment

Set in a near-future England grappling with carbon rationing, this novel follows eighteen-year-old Laura as she navigates university life amid environmental crises and political unrest. Suitable for teens, it explores themes of climate change and personal responsibility without graphic content, making it a thought-provoking read for young adults interested in science and social issues.

Why we rated The Carbon Diaries 2017 12ME

The Carbon Diaries 2017 is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Carbon Diaries 2017 works for readers up to grade 9.0.

We rate The Carbon Diaries 2017 as 12ME ("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, social complexity, 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 Carbon Diaries 2017 explores science & nature, environment, coming of age, social justice, and people & places — 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.
  • Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
  • Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, environment, coming of age.

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

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Light
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
6
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

384 pages
ISBN
9780823423903
Pages
384
Publisher
Holiday House
Published
Jun 01, 2011
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Science & NatureEnvironmentPeople & PlacesEuropeScience FictionYoung Adult FictionRecycling & Green LivingTechnologySocial ThemesSelf-Esteem & Self-Reliance