The half life of planets
Emily Franklin
The half life of planets
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel
by Emily Franklin
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if two very different kids met in the most unexpected place—like a hospital bathroom? Lianna loves stars and wants to spend her summer in the lab, while Hank is saving up for a guitar and figuring out how to navigate the world with Asperger's syndrome. Their chance encounter might just change everything, but how will their worlds collide?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery through the eyes of two unique characters: Lianna, a passionate aspiring planetary scientist, and Hank, a socially awkward boy with Asperger's syndrome. Written in alternating chapters, the story gently addresses interpersonal relationships and neurodiversity, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of themes like grief and social challenges, though they are handled with sensitivity.
Why we rated The half life of planets 11ME
The half life of planets is written at a Level 6 reading level across 247 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The half life of planets works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The half life of planets as 11ME ("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 — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The half life of planets explores grief, interpersonal relations, neurodivergent characters, rock music, and astronomy — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, interpersonal relations, neurodivergent characters.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423121114
- Pages
- 247
- Publisher
- Hyperion
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction