The heretic's tomb
Simon Rose
The heretic's tomb
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Simon Rose
The text is written at a 4th 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
Annie discovers an ancient amulet that doesn’t just tell a story—it pulls her straight into the past! Thrust into the Middle Ages, she faces a world of secrets, danger, and a mysterious lady whose fate could change everything. What will Annie uncover about Lady Isabella's dark past, and how will it shape her own future?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Annie as she travels back in time to the Middle Ages after finding a mysterious amulet in a forgotten tomb. The story explores themes of history, mystery, and courage as Annie investigates the conviction and death of Lady Isabella Devereaux, a noblewoman branded a heretic. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, the book contains mild peril and historical references appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated The heretic's tomb 9LE
The heretic's tomb is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 165 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The heretic's tomb works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The heretic's tomb as 9LE ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The heretic's tomb explores time travel, adventure, mystery, historical, and family — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about time travel, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9781896580920
- Pages
- 165
- Publisher
- Tradewind
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction