This mortal coil
Emily Suvada
This mortal coil
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Emily Suvada
The text is written at a 8th 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
The sharp buzz of the lab’s machines fills the air as Cat’s fingers dance across her keyboard, chasing secrets hidden in her father’s final code. The scent of antiseptic and old paper surrounds her, twisting with hope and fear. Can she unlock the cure before the plague claims more lives—and before she's lost everything?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows seventeen-year-old Cat, who uses her gene-hacking expertise to decipher a secret message from her deceased father. The message holds the key to a vaccine for a deadly plague threatening humanity. Suitable for ages 9-12, this book explores themes of family bonds, genetic science, and resilience, with some mild peril and suspense.
Why we rated This mortal coil 12ME
This mortal coil is written at a Level 8 reading level across 424 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This mortal coil works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate This mortal coil as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, This mortal coil explores family, science & nature, adventure, coming of age, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, science & nature, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481496339
- Pages
- 424
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction