The time thief
Linda Buckley-Archer
The time thief
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
being the second part of The Gideon trilogy
by Linda Buckley-Archer
Gideon Trilogy
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
Peter and Kate's journey through time takes an unexpected turn when Peter becomes trapped in the year 1763, while Kate ends up back in present-day London with the mysterious Tar Man. As they struggle to reunite, they encounter thrilling adventures and face the challenges of two very different worlds. Their daring quest reveals secrets from the past that could change their futures forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 6-7 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The time thief 11LP
The time thief is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 491 pages (approximately 125,851 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The time thief works for readers up to grade 8.8.
Read aloud, The time thief runs about 14 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The time thief as 11LP ("Light — 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.
Thematically, The time thief explores time travel, adventure, and historical — 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 time travel, adventure, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 9781416915270
- Pages
- 491
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 125,851
- Read-Aloud
- ~13h 59m
- Text Density
- Dense