Song of Susannah
by Stephen King
Hodder & Stoughton 2006
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.1 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- Destiny (ka) vs. free will
- Identity, possession, and duality (Susannah/Mia)
- Motherhood and sacrifice
- Found family and loyalty (the ka-tet)
- Multiverse, portals, and time travel
- Metafiction and the power of storytelling
- Good vs. evil and prophecy
- Temptation and corruption (Black Thirteen)
About this book
Book 6 of the Dark Tower saga. Possessed by the persona Mia, Susannah Dean uses the cursed Black Thirteen to slip from Mid-World to late-20th-century New York to deliver a sinister child. Jake Chambers and Father Callahan follow her trail toward the Dixie Pig, while Roland Deschain and Eddie Dean are flung to Maine in the summer of 1977, where the boundaries between fiction and reality blur and the Crimson King’s designs tighten. Split across worlds and times, the ka-tet must confront destiny, identity, and sacrifice as Roland’s quest nears its breaking point.
Setting: Mid-World; New York City in the late 20th century (notably the Dixie Pig); and rural Maine in 1977, with characters crossing between parallel worlds and timelines.
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Song of Susannah right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Song of Susannah. The reading level is AR 6.1, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include Destiny (ka) vs. free will, Identity, possession, and duality (Susannah/Mia), Motherhood and sacrifice.
How long does it take to read Song of Susannah?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Song of Susannah takes around 11h to finish. The book has 118,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Song of Susannah have an AR quiz?
Yes — Song of Susannah has an AR quiz available, worth 18 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 Song of Susannah?
Song of Susannah has an AR reading level of 6.1, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — 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.