Asylum
Refugees of Mars
by Ai Lynn Collins
Capstone 2018
Great fit for 4th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- empathy and compassion
- refugees and asylum
- courage
- family and loyalty
- prejudice and xenophobia
- doing the right thing
- secrecy and trust
- responsibility
About this book
On a Martian farming colony, Belle Song discovers an escape pod carrying two alien refugees fleeing a civil war. While leaders on Mars argue over what to do, Belle chooses compassion and takes a risk to help them—especially when one is about to give birth. This fast-paced sci‑fi adventure blends action with timely questions about empathy and belonging. Great for middle-grade readers who like alien encounters, daring choices, and stories with heart.
Setting: a near-future Martian farming colony and the surrounding desert
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asylum right for my child?
Yes — Asylum is a great fit for 4th grade. The reading level is AR 4.4, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include empathy and compassion, refugees and asylum, courage.
How long does it take to read Asylum?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, Asylum takes around 2.3h to finish. The book has 21,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Asylum have an AR quiz?
Yes — Asylum has an AR quiz available, worth 3 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Asylum?
Asylum has an AR reading level of 4.4, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.