Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The eighth day
Dianne K. Salerni
The eighth day
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dianne K. Salerni
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Thirteen-year-old Jax Aubrey stumbles into a hidden eighth day of the week, where time bends and magic stirs. Alongside his guardian Riley and a mysterious girl named Evangeline, Jax must unravel ancient secrets and confront dark forces threatening both the magical and ordinary worlds. With adventure and suspense around every corner, he faces a race against time to protect his new friends and the fate of humanity.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, emotional: loss & grief. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The eighth day 10LE
The eighth day is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 309 pages (approximately 64,863 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The eighth day works for readers up to grade 7.2.
Read aloud, The eighth day runs about 7.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The eighth day as 10LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Emotional: Loss & Grief.
Thematically, The eighth day explores fantasy, magic, adventure, friendship, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, magic, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Eighth Day series.
Maybe not for
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Eighth Day Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062272157
- Pages
- 309
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 64,863
- Lexile
- 730L
- Read-Aloud
- ~7h 12m
- Text Density
- Standard