The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers)
James Valentine
The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by James Valentine
The text is written at a 6th 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
Theodore's time-jumping device sparks and sputters, freezing him in the twenty-first century where everything feels strange and new. Jules races against the clock, battling his own slipping timeline, while Gen, the friend Jules almost confessed to, watches with worry. But when the future and past collide, will they find a way back before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Theodore, a teen from the future stranded in the present due to a malfunctioning time device. With help from two local high schoolers, Jules and Gen, the story explores themes of friendship, time travel, and personal challenges suitable for ages 9-12. The book includes mild sci-fi peril and emotional moments but remains appropriate for its intended audience.
Why we rated The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers) 11LE
The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers) works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Past Is Gone (Timejumpers) as 11LE ("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 Past Is Gone (Timejumpers) explores science & nature, friendship, adventure, and fantasy world-building — 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 science & nature, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416939559
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- May 8, 2007
- Type
- Fiction