The Scorch Trials (2015) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: The Scorch Trials
Rating: 3.7 (55 reviews)
Author: James Dashner

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch. The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them. There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive. Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.

Young Adult • 2015 • 384 pages • Lexile 800L (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty)

by James Dashner

3.7

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

12+

After escaping the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers are thrust into a sun-scorched wasteland and told they must cross it in two weeks to earn a cure for the deadly Flare virus. Hunted by crazed infected 'Cranks' and manipulated by WICKED, they fight to survive. The dystopian sequel to The Maze Runner.

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Is The Scorch Trials appropriate for kids?

Content severity in The Scorch Trials

Sex Moderate 3/10

Violence Strong 7/10

Language Mild 1/10

Substances Moderate 4/10

Themes Strong 5/10

What happens in The Scorch Trials, moment by moment

p. 12 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
p. 28 💬 Language 1/10
p. 44 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10

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Sex and nudity in The Scorch Trials

Sexual content remains mild throughout the novel, focusing primarily on emotional manipulation rather than physical intimacy. Thomas experiences romantic confusion and jealousy regarding Brenda and Teresa, leading to a few moments of physical proximity. Brenda initiates a manipulative kiss that leaves Thomas feeling conflicted and uncomfortable. There are no descriptions of nudity or explicit sexual acts. The focus stays on the psychological toll of these interactions within the high-stakes environment.

Violence and gore in The Scorch Trials

The violence is frequent and often graphic, featuring elements of body horror and intense physical combat. Characters are decapitated by metal spheres in a dark tunnel, and several Gladers are incinerated by a freak lightning storm in the wasteland. Cranks, people infected with the Flare, are described in various states of decay and madness, often attacking the protagonists with feral desperation. Notable scenes include a character losing a nose to a Crank and a brutal gunfight toward the end of the journey. The…

Language in The Scorch Trials

Language in this series is dominated by the author's invented slang, which serves as a substitute for real-world profanity. Terms like 'shuck,' 'klunk,' and 'slinthead' are used frequently and aggressively by the teenagers. While these words are fictional, they are clearly intended to convey the weight of traditional four-letter words. There are very few instances of actual mild profanity or religious exclamations. The tone of the dialogue is often harsh and desperate, reflecting the characters' dire situation.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Scorch Trials

Substance use is limited but significant to the world-building and the progression of the Flare virus. The characters encounter a drug called 'the Bliss,' which is used by those infected to slow the mental decline and dull the pain of the disease. At a party in the city, characters are drugged with a liquid that causes them to lose consciousness and have vivid hallucinations. While there is no celebratory recreational drug use, the reliance on chemical numbing is a recurring plot point. The atmosphere of the Crank…

Mature themes in The Scorch Trials

Moderate - betrayal, mortality, psychological manipulation, and sacrificing the few for the many.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Scorch Trials appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Scorch Trials is best for ages 12+. After escaping the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers are thrust into a sun-scorched wasteland and told they must cross it in two weeks to earn a cure for the deadly Flare virus. Hunted by crazed infected 'Cranks' and…

What age rating does The Scorch Trials have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. The Scorch Trials is shelved by its publisher as Young Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 12+.

What reading level is The Scorch Trials?

The Scorch Trials is 384 pages and its reading level is Lexile 800L (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty). Bontent recommends it for ages 12+.

What is The Scorch Trials about?

Is there sex or nudity in The Scorch Trials?

How violent is The Scorch Trials?

Is the language in The Scorch Trials appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The Scorch Trials?

What mature themes appear in The Scorch Trials?

Moderate - betrayal, mortality, psychological manipulation, and sacrificing the few for the many.

Where can I read the full The Scorch Trials parent guide?

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