the dead and the gone
Susan Beth Pfeffer
the dead and the gone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if the moon was hit by an asteroid and everything you knew about your world changed overnight? Imagine trying to keep your family safe when the city around you turns into a dangerous wasteland. How far would you go to protect the people you love when hope feels almost gone?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows 17-year-old Alex Morales as he navigates the aftermath of a catastrophic asteroid impact on the moon, which causes devastating climate changes. Set in New York City, Alex must take on adult responsibilities when his parents disappear, caring for his younger sisters amid shrinking resources and growing danger. Suitable for teens, the story deals with themes of survival, family, and resilience in an apocalyptic setting.
Why we rated the dead and the gone 12IE
the dead and the gone is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, the dead and the gone works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate the dead and the gone as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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 intense intensity score.
Thematically, the dead and the gone explores family, survival, science & nature, coming of age, and faith — 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 family, survival, science & nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Was our "Intense" 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780152063115
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Follettbound
- Published
- June 1, 2008
- Type
- Fiction