What reading level is the Making Sense of Science series?

Making Sense of Science books are at a grades 6–8 reading level (average grade level 6.9), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 7 books in the series.

What order should I read the Making Sense of Science books?

Series numbers aren't available for most Making Sense of Science books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Electricity And Power (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Light And Color (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Materials And Matter (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Sound And Vibrations (Making Sense of Science) (2005); The Earth In Space (Making Sense of Science) (2005); and 2 more.

What age is the Making Sense of Science series appropriate for?

HootRated recommends Making Sense of Science for ages 9–12. Content is gentle (HootRated intensity 1/5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

Making Sense of Science Books in Order

Making Sense of Science is a 7-book series by Peter D. Riley for ages 9–12, at a grades 6–8 reading level, with gentle content (HootRated intensity 1/5).

Books: 7; By publication date
Reading level: Grades 6–8; Average grade level 6.9
Recommended ages: Ages 9–12; From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity: Gentle; HootRated 1/5

Making Sense of Science Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Making Sense of Science books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

#	Title	Reading Level	Ages	Content
1	Electricity And Power (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 7-8	9-12	Gentle
2	Light And Color (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 6-7	9-12	Gentle
3	Materials And Matter (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 6-7	9-12	Gentle
4	Sound And Vibrations (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 6-7	9-12	Gentle
5	The Earth In Space (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 6-7	9-12	Gentle
6	The Human Body (Making Sense of Science) 2005	Level 7-8	9-12	Gentle
7	Life on Earth 2006	Level 7	9-12	Gentle

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Making Sense of Science (7 books by Peter D. Riley) lands at a grades 6–8 reading level, with average content intensity 1/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

All Making Sense of Science Books

Electricity And Power (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Electricity And Power (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 7-8 Gentle

Light And Color (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Light And Color (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 6-7 Gentle

Materials And Matter (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Materials And Matter (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 6-7 Gentle

Sound And Vibrations (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Sound And Vibrations (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 6-7 Gentle

The Earth In Space (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

The Earth In Space (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 6-7 Gentle

The Human Body (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

The Human Body (Making Sense of Science)

Peter D. Riley

Level 7-8 Gentle

Life on Earth

Peter D. Riley

Life on Earth

Peter D. Riley

Level 7 Gentle

Series Like Making Sense of Science: What to Read Next

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the Making Sense of Science series

What reading level is the Making Sense of Science series?: Making Sense of Science books are at a grades 6–8 reading level (average grade level 6.9), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 7 books in the series.
What order should I read the Making Sense of Science books?: Series numbers aren't available for most Making Sense of Science books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Electricity And Power (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Light And Color (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Materials And Matter (Making Sense of Science) (2005); Sound And Vibrations (Making Sense of Science) (2005); The Earth In Space (Making Sense of Science) (2005); and 2 more.
What age is the Making Sense of Science series appropriate for?: HootRated recommends Making Sense of Science for ages 9–12. Content is gentle (HootRated intensity 1/5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.