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The serpent king

Jeff Zentner

Cover of The serpent king

The serpent king

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a novel

by Jeff Zentner

Reading Level 3-4 Unrated Ages 5-8

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD WINNER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Buzzfeed • Mashable • Kirkus Reviews • Publishers Weekly • Shelf Awareness A critically acclaimed debut novel about three teens who find themselves--and each other--while on the cusp of graduating from high school with hopes of leaving their small-town behind. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new book, In the Wild Light! "Move over, John Green; Zentner is coming for you." —The New York Public Library Dill isn't the most popular kid at his rural Tennessee high school. After his father fell from grace in a public scandal that reverberated throughout their small town, Dill became a target. Fortunately, his two fellow misfits and best friends, Travis and Lydia, have his back. But as they begin their senior year, Dill feels the coils of his future tightening around him. His only escapes are music and his secret feelings for Lydia--neither of which he is brave enough to share. Graduation feels more like an ending to Dill than a beginning. But even before then, he must cope with another ending--one that will rock his life to the core. Debut novelist Jeff Zentner provides an unblinking and at times comic view of the hard realities of growing up in the Bible belt, and an intimate look at the struggles to find one’s true self in the wreckage of the past.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated The serpent king Level 0

The serpent king is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 630L across 372 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The serpent king works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate The serpent king as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the unrated intensity score.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
3
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

372 pages
ISBN
9780553524024
Pages
372
Publisher
National Geographic Books
Published
2016
Type
Fiction
Lexile
630L

Genres

Subjects

Country LifeSelf-actualizationFriendshipSelf-actualizationin AdolescenceFriendship in AdolescenceHigh School StudentsBullying in SchoolsChildren of ClergySnake CultsAlienationActualisation De Soi Chez L'adolescentRomans, NouvellesAmitié Chez L'adolescentRomans, Nouvelles, Etc. Pour La JeunesseÉlèves Du SecondaireIntimidation Dans Les ÉcolesEnfants D'ecclésiastiquesSerpentsCulteAliénationYoung Adult FictionComing of AgeSocial ThemesPhysical & Emotional AbuseSelf-realization