The dust of 100 dogs
A. S. King
The dust of 100 dogs
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by A. S. King
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.
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About This Book
Emer Morrisey, a legendary pirate from the seventeenth century, is trapped by a curse that forces her to live one hundred lives as a dog before returning to human form. Now reincarnated in modern America, she must uncover her past and find her way to Jamaica, carrying memories of her swashbuckling adventures and a desperate hope for freedom. This thrilling tale blends history, magic, and the loyalty of dogs into a captivating journey of love and destiny.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include fantasy violence, physical danger, emotional: identity & self-discovery. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated The dust of 100 dogs 10MP
The dust of 100 dogs is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 337 pages (approximately 72,783 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dust of 100 dogs works for readers up to grade 7.3.
Read aloud, The dust of 100 dogs runs about 8.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The dust of 100 dogs as 10MP ("Moderate — 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: Fantasy Violence, Physical Danger, Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery.
Thematically, The dust of 100 dogs explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, friendship, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, 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
10MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 9780738714264
- Pages
- 337
- Publisher
- Llewellyn Worldwide
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 72,783
- Read-Aloud
- ~8h 5m
- Text Density
- Standard