The project
Brian Falkner
The project
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Brian Falkner
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
Luke and Tommy haul boxes in the dark, rushing to save books from rising floodwaters. Suddenly, they uncover the world's most boring book—so boring it hides a secret no one could ever guess. But when they sneak back to steal it, shadows creep closer—who else wants the secret dead or alive?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade sci-fi thriller follows two friends who discover a mysterious, priceless book linked to Leonardo da Vinci while saving library books from a flood. The story involves time travel, historical secrets, and suspenseful chases, suitable for readers aged 9-12. While the adventure is fast-paced and exciting, parents should note the presence of peril and references to World War II-era antagonists.
Why we rated The project 11MP
The project is written at a Level 6 reading level across 275 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The project works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The project as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Historical War References.
Thematically, The project explores adventure, mystery, time travel, and historical 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, time travel.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
3/10A 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
- 9780375969454
- Pages
- 275
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction