HootRated mascot HootRated

Tunnels of time

Mary Harelkin Bishop

Cover of Tunnels of time

Tunnels of time

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Moose Jaw Adventure

by Mary Harelkin Bishop

Reading Level 6 11LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What if you could step back in time and uncover secrets hidden beneath your own town? Andrea Talbot finds herself in the shadowy tunnels beneath Moose Jaw, where danger lurks at every turn. Will she make it out before history changes forever?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book follows Andrea Talbot as she time-travels to early 20th-century Moose Jaw and navigates perilous underground tunnels linked to the town's gangster past. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging mix of history and adventure with some suspenseful moments. Parents should note the presence of mild peril related to the underground setting and historical crime elements.

Why we rated Tunnels of time 11LP

Tunnels of time is written at a Level 6 reading level across 262 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tunnels of time works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Tunnels of time 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.

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

Thematically, Tunnels of time explores adventure, time travel, historical, and mystery — 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 adventure, time travel, historical.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LP — Light — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
7
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

262 pages
ISBN
155050164X
Pages
262
Publisher
Coteau Books
Published
2000
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Time TravelGangstersTunnelsMoose JawCanada1914-1945Adventure and Adventurers

Places

CanadaMoose Jaw (Sask.)