Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The epidemic
Suzanne Young
The epidemic
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Suzanne Young
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if you could step into the shoes of someone who's gone? Quinlan does just that, helping families feel close to those they've lost. But when a new epidemic threatens everyone, how will she protect the ones she cares about?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader explores complex themes of grief, loss, and epidemics through the story of Quinlan, who temporarily takes on the role of deceased loved ones to help families heal. Suitable for ages 5-8, it handles sensitive topics with care, though parents should be aware of the presence of death and suicide themes. The story offers a gentle introduction to difficult emotions within a fictional context.
Why we rated The epidemic 8ME
The epidemic is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 690L across 378 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The epidemic works for readers up to grade 5.5.
We rate The epidemic as 8ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Grief, Death, Suicide.
Thematically, The epidemic explores grief, death, epidemics, juvenile fiction, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, death, epidemics.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
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
- 9781481444705
- Pages
- 378
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 690L