The Kill Order
Chicken House 2013
Easy read — content targets 6th grade and up
Reading level 5 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 11+
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Genre
Themes
- survival
- pandemic/virus
- friendship and loyalty
- resilience
- sacrifice
- trust and betrayal
- government secrecy
- hope in adversity
About this book
Set before The Maze Runner, this high-stakes prequel follows Mark and Trina as they struggle to survive after solar flares devastate the world. When a mysterious group unleashes a deadly virus on their settlement, the friends set out to uncover who is behind it and why. Fast-paced action, tense mysteries, and close-knit teamwork drive the story. Great for readers who like post-apocalyptic thrillers and want the backstory to the Maze universe.
Setting: Near-future, post-apocalyptic United States (mountains, ruined cities) after catastrophic solar flares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Kill Order right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Kill Order. 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 survival, pandemic/virus, friendship and loyalty.
How long does it take to read The Kill Order?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Kill Order takes around 10h to finish. The book has 99,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Kill Order have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Kill Order has an AR quiz available, worth 14 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 Kill Order?
The Kill Order 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.