The Saints
Lex Thomas
The Saints
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lex Thomas
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp scent of sweat and smoke hangs in the air as the school doors swing open after months of silence. The halls buzz with new faces and shifting alliances, where every step could lead to friendship or fierce rivalry. In this world where survival means everything, will Will and Lucy find safety—or face their darkest fears yet?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a quarantined high school after a viral outbreak, this middle-grade sci-fi novel explores themes of survival, gang dynamics, and social challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains intense scenes of interpersonal conflict and tense situations that highlight the dangers of a controlled environment. Parents should be aware of mature themes like gang rivalry and violence, presented within a fictional and suspenseful context.
Why we rated The Saints 12IE
The Saints is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Saints works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Saints as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Gang Violence, Mild Peril.
Thematically, The Saints explores survival, gangs, interpersonal relations, science & nature, and 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about survival, gangs, interpersonal relations.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Saints
Morgan, Tom
Saints
Morgan, Tom
The Burnouts
Lex Thomas
The Burnouts
Lex Thomas
The Strength of Saints
A. LaFaye
The Strength of Saints
A. LaFaye
Saints of Augustine
Patrick Ryan
Saints of Augustine
Patrick Ryan
Cyborg Saints
Carissa Turner Smith
Cyborg Saints
Carissa Turner Smith
The high school war
Kate William
The high school war
Kate William
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781606845400
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction