Tin Star
Macmillan + ORM 2014
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.2 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- survival
- trust and betrayal
- identity
- found family
- resilience
- power and corruption
- belonging
- prejudice and xenophobia
About this book
On a colony ship bound for a distant world, teen Tula Bane is left for dead at a remote space station and must learn to survive among a maze of alien cultures. With the help of an unlikely alien mentor, she discovers barter, grit, and how to read the station’s shifting alliances. When new humans arrive, Tula must decide who to trust and what kind of life she wants to claim for herself. Fast-paced and atmospheric, this sci-fi adventure appeals to teens who like survival stories, moral dilemmas, and found-family bonds in space.
Setting: a remote space station (the Yertina Feray) in deep space, far future
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tin Star right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Tin Star. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th 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 survival, trust and betrayal, identity.
How long does it take to read Tin Star?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Tin Star takes around 5.5h to finish. The book has 55,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Tin Star have an AR quiz?
Yes — Tin Star has an AR quiz available, worth 8 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 Tin Star?
Tin Star has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th 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.