What reading level is Waste of space?

Waste of space by Stuart Gibbs is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 810L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Waste of space appropriate for?

Waste of space is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Waste of space?

Waste of space is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Waste of space have any content warnings?

Waste of space has a HootRating of 10ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Waste of space?

Waste of space by Stuart Gibbs is 321 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Waste of space

Stuart Gibbs

Waste of space

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a Moon Base Alpha novel

by Stuart Gibbs

Reading Level 5-6 10ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th 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

What if your birthday celebration turned into a real-life mystery on the moon? Just as Dash Gibson hopes for a calm day, a billionaire is poisoned on Moon Base Alpha, and suspicion falls on everyone. Can Dash uncover the truth before time runs out?

Themes

Adventure Mystery Science & NatureExtraterrestrial beingsJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Dash Gibson as he investigates a poisoning on Moon Base Alpha, a lunar community. The story includes themes of mystery, suspense, and space adventure, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should be aware that the plot involves a murder investigation and some tense moments, but it is presented in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated Waste of space 10ME

Waste of space is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 810L across 321 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Waste of space works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Waste of space as 10ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Waste of space explores adventure, mystery, science & nature, extraterrestrial beings, and juvenile 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, science & nature.