What reading level is Where the rock splits the sky?

Where the rock splits the sky by Philip Webb is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 730L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Where the rock splits the sky appropriate for?

Where the rock splits the sky is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Where the rock splits the sky?

Where the rock splits the sky is fiction.

Does Where the rock splits the sky have any content warnings?

Where the rock splits the sky has a HootRating of 9ME (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 Where the rock splits the sky?

Where the rock splits the sky by Philip Webb is 262 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Where the rock splits the sky

Philip Webb

Where the rock splits the sky

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Philip Webb

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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 the moon suddenly split in two and the Earth stopped turning? Megan lives in a world where the sun never fully rises, and aliens called the Visitors have taken control. Now, riding her brave horse Cisco, she’s racing across a strange and dangerous desert to find her missing dad — but what secrets will the Zone reveal?

Themes

Science & Nature Adventure Friendship Family Fantasy World-Building

Quick Assessment

Set in a dystopian future where the moon is shattered and Earth no longer turns, this middle-grade science fiction adventure follows Megan as she searches for her missing father. The story explores themes of resilience and courage amid a surreal, alien-controlled landscape, making it suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the tense atmosphere and mild peril as Megan faces natural and extraterrestrial dangers.

Why we rated Where the rock splits the sky 9ME

Where the rock splits the sky is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 262 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Where the rock splits the sky works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Where the rock splits the sky as 9ME ("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, 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, Where the rock splits the sky explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, family, and fantasy world-building — 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 science & nature, adventure, friendship.

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.