Web of Air
Philip Reeve
Web of Air
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Philip Reeve
The text is written at a 7th 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
No one thought humans could fly again—until Mayda’s greatest engineer and a secretive inventor dared to defy gravity. Their flying machine could change everything, but dark forces will stop at nothing to seize or destroy it. Will their invention take to the skies, or be lost forever in the shadows?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a post-apocalyptic city by the sea, this middle-grade science fiction novel follows two young inventors racing to build a flying machine while facing dangerous adversaries. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of innovation and courage amid a suspenseful adventure. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and tension related to conflict over technology.
Why we rated Web of Air 12LP
Web of Air is written at a Level 7 reading level across 306 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Web of Air works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Web of Air as 12LP ("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, Web of Air explores adventure, science & nature, technology, friendship, and family — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, science & nature, technology.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781407129242
- Pages
- 306
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction