The race against time
Elisabetta Dami
The race against time
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
the third journey through time
by Elisabetta Dami
Illustrated by Barozzi, Danilo, illustrator
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
Crunch! The icy wind bites at your whiskers as you step into a world frozen in time. Imagine racing alongside woolly mammoths, exploring ancient Greek theaters, and outsmarting villains from the past—all before the mysterious portal whirls you back to today. Can Geronimo and his family find their way home, or will time trap them forever?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Geronimo Stilton and his family as they journey through different historical eras via a time portal. The story introduces young readers to periods like the Ice Age, ancient Greece, and the Renaissance with fun and imaginative scenarios. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains mild peril related to time travel but remains lighthearted and entertaining.
Why we rated The race against time 11LE
The race against time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 289 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The race against time works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The race against time 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 race against time explores adventure, time travel, historical fiction, animals, and family — 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 adventure, time travel, historical fiction.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545872416
- Pages
- 289
- Publisher
- Scholastic Incorporated
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction