The new kid
Temple Mathews
The new kid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Temple Mathews
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
Will Hunter is no ordinary new kid—he’s a seasoned fighter against the darkest kind of evil. Every school looks bright and perfect, but he knows the shadowy secrets hiding beneath the surface. This time, the battle is closer to home than ever, and it could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Will Hunter, a boy who has attended multiple schools while facing a supernatural evil linked to his family’s past. It explores themes of bullying and demonology within a fictional setting, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of supernatural horror elements and some intense emotional moments related to loss and fear.
Why we rated The new kid 11ME
The new kid is written at a Level 6 reading level across 281 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The new kid works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The new kid 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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Supernatural Themes, Bullying.
Thematically, The new kid explores demonology, bullying, fiction, coming of age, and adventure — 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 demonology, bullying, fiction.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780979233180
- Pages
- 281
- Publisher
- Borders
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction