The cure for dreaming

Name: The cure for dreaming
Author: Cat Winters
ISBN: 9781419712166

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cat Winters

Reading Level 5-6 MP · Moderate · Physical Ages 13+ Matched

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. Its HootRating code, MP, means moderate content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

In the year 1900, Olivia, a determined young suffragist, faces an unusual challenge when a mysterious hypnotist named Henri arrives, hired by her father to change her spirited nature. As Olivia navigates the struggle between her own dreams and the expectations placed upon her, secrets and dangers emerge that test her courage and resolve.

Themes

Paranormal FictionFamily Coming of Age Social Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include sexual references, violence. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated The cure for dreaming MP (Moderate)

The cure for dreaming is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 352 pages (approximately 71,308 words). Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.

Read aloud, The cure for dreaming runs about 7.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The cure for dreaming as MP (Moderate, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual References, Violence.

Thematically, The cure for dreaming explores paranormal fiction, family, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about paranormal fiction, family, 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.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.

For Parents

Content Intensity

MP · Moderate · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Moderate ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

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