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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults

Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, Roger Rosen

Cover of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi, Roger Rosen

Reading Level 8 12LS Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

What if you could explore more than 1,600 different new religions, sects, and cults from the last 200 years? Imagine diving into their stories, beliefs, and mysteries to understand what makes each unique. But how do we know which paths lead to truth, and which ones might be full of surprises?

Themes

Comparative ReligionEncyclopediasReligionsReligion - World Religions

Quick Assessment

This encyclopedia offers a comprehensive overview of over 1,600 religious groups that have emerged in the past two centuries, presenting factual and comparative information suitable for teens aged 13 to 18. It serves as an educational resource for understanding diverse world religions and new spiritual movements without sensationalism. The content is appropriate for mature young readers interested in religion and cultural studies.

Why we rated The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults 12LS

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults is written at a Level 8 reading level across 496 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults works for readers up to grade 10.0.

We rate The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults as 12LS ("Light — Social") 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 Illustrated Encyclopedia of Active New Religions, Sects, and Cults explores comparative religion, encyclopedias, religions, and religion - world religions — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about comparative religion, encyclopedias, religions.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12LS — Light — Social
Emotional
Clear
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

496 pages
ISBN
9780823925865
Pages
496
Publisher
Rosen Publishing Group
Published
August 1997
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Comparative ReligionEncyclopediasReligionWorld ReligionsReligionsCultsEncyclopédiesDictionariesSektenGodsdienstige BewegingenSects