Dickens & Rumi
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AURORA RISING

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Led by Tyler, Squad 312 of the Aurora Legion must protect the mysterious Auri. (Ages 12 to 17)

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? The novel has substantial sci-fi combat, peril, death-related themes, frightening threats, mild romance, and occasional stronger language, alongside considerable length and YA-level complexity. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Characters die during conflict, and the narrative deals with the weight of loss among the crew.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Injuries and danger occur, but graphic blood and detailed bodily damage are generally limited.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional use of mild profanity or coarse language throughout.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Includes LGBTQIA characters as part of the diverse ensemble cast.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Crushes, attraction, flirtation, and relationship tension appear as secondary elements within the adventure.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Characters face alien threats, captivity, combat, peril, and tense situations in space, though the tone often uses humor.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains occasional mild innuendo or references to attraction, consistent with young adult fiction.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Very brief or incidental references to futuristic substances, not glorified.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Frequent space battles, weapons, fights, dangerous missions, and threats to characters; action is adventurous rather than graphically realistic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly face danger and uncertainty, showing courage through sacrifice, loyalty, and principled choices rather than only combat.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Inventive world-building, alien cultures, unusual technologies, mystery-solving, and imaginative teamwork strongly support creative engagement.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Features a multi-species and culturally diverse cast with individual character agency.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental exposure to world-building and narrative complexity.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Care, friendship, mutual support, and empathy are important to the squad's relationships and decisions.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes emphasize loyalty, teamwork, compassion, accountability, resisting prejudice, and choosing to protect others.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Young protagonists are brave and loyal but imperfect; they make mistakes, grow, and learn to work responsibly together.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in AURORA RISING would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in AURORA RISING, and what caused that change?
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