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Demon thief book cover

Demon thief

by Darren Shan

Huang guan wen hua chu ban you xian gong si 2008

★★★★★

Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up

Reading level 5 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+

5th grade English
254
Pages
11
AR Points
7.9h
Read time
AR Quiz Available

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Genre

Horror

Themes

  • courage
  • family and loyalty
  • identity and destiny
  • good vs. evil
  • sacrifice
  • survival
  • parallel worlds
  • friendship under pressure

About this book

Kernel Fleck has always seen strange patches of light—and when a baby is stolen by demons, those lights lead him into a terrifying otherworld. With a small band of magicians, Kernel crosses between dimensions to hunt the demon thief and uncover the truth behind his unusual sight. The journey tests his courage and loyalty as the stakes grow darker and more dangerous. Fast-paced action, creepy creatures, and high-stakes magic make this a hit for horror and fantasy fans in the middle grades and up.

Setting: contemporary United Kingdom and nightmarish demon realms/other dimensions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Demon thief right for my child?

It depends — here's what to consider for Demon thief. The reading level is AR 5, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 11+ (6th grade and up). Themes include courage, family and loyalty, identity and destiny.

How long does it take to read Demon thief?

At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Demon thief takes around 7.9h to finish. The book has 78,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.

Does Demon thief have an AR quiz?

Yes — Demon thief has an AR quiz available, worth 11 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 Demon thief?

Demon thief has an AR reading level of 5, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades Plus (6+) — 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.