The poisoned planet

Name: The poisoned planet
Author: Matthew K. Manning
ISBN: 9781434240910

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Matthew K. Manning

Man of Steel; DC Super Heroes (Capstone/Stone Arch)

Reading Level 4-5 LP · Mild · Physical Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

A dangerous vine spreads rapidly, wrapping itself around the Daily Planet building and threatening the city. Superman must face off against Poison Ivy's powerful plant creation to save the day. Adventure and heroism grow in every page as the battle unfolds!

Themes

SuperheroesSupervillainsAdventureJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The poisoned planet LP (Mild)

The poisoned planet is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 89 pages (approximately 7,250 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage The poisoned planet on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, The poisoned planet takes about 48 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate The poisoned planet as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.

Thematically, The poisoned planet explores superheroes, supervillains, adventure, and juvenile fiction — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about superheroes, supervillains, adventure.

Maybe not for

! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LP · Mild · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Mild ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.