The Door to Time
Scholastic Paperbacks 2007
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- mystery
- friendship
- courage
- curiosity
- puzzles and codes
- family
- exploration
- secrets
About this book
Eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia move into a crumbling seaside mansion brimming with hidden passages, odd artifacts, and a locked door no key can open. With their new friend Rick, they follow clues, solve puzzles, and push deeper into the house’s mysteries. The fast pace, short chapters, and cliffhangers make this a page-turner for middle-grade readers who love intrigue and secret codes. It’s a great pick for kids who enjoy teamwork, clever problem-solving, and a touch of the fantastical.
Setting: a windswept English coastal village and a mysterious old mansion
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Door to Time right for my child?
Yes — The Door to Time is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th 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 mystery, friendship, courage.
How long does it take to read The Door to Time?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Door to Time takes around 4.3h to finish. The book has 43,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Door to Time have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Door to Time has an AR quiz available, worth 7 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 The Door to Time?
The Door to Time has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th 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.