The hunted
Charles Higson
The hunted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Charles Higson
The text is written at a 8th 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 a strange sickness turned everyone sixteen and older into scary creatures hungry for kids? Ella thought the countryside would be safe, but now she's all alone—except for a quiet helper with a mysterious scar. Meanwhile, Ed races through dangerous streets to find her, but the monsters are closing in fast. Can they survive the horde and find each other before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Ella and Ed as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombielike adults infected by a mysterious sickness. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story contains themes of survival, loss, and trust, with some suspenseful and intense scenes involving danger and disfigurement. Parents should be aware that the book includes elements of horror and mild peril, though it is appropriate for mature middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The hunted 12ME
The hunted is written at a Level 8 reading level across 454 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hunted works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The hunted as 12ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The hunted explores survival, mutism, disfigured persons, juvenile fiction, and zombies — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, mutism, disfigured persons.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781423165675
- Pages
- 454
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction