Life Expectancy
by Dean Koontz
Bantam 2007
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.8 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
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Genre
Themes
- Fate vs. free will
- Good vs. evil
- Family and legacy
- Prophecy and destiny
- Resilience and courage
- Love and sacrifice
- Chance and chaos
- Identity and personal choice
- Dark humor in adversity
About this book
On the stormy night Jimmy Tock is born, his dying grandfather predicts that Jimmy will face five terrible days that will shape his destiny. As Jimmy grows up to be a pastry chef with a wry sense of humor and a deep love for his family, those foretold days arrive one by one, drawing him into encounters with murderous clowns, desperate criminals, and moral choices that test the boundaries of good and evil. Life Expectancy blends high-stakes suspense, dark comedy, and heartfelt family devotion into a propulsive tale about fate, courage, and the meaning we make from chaos.
Setting: Contemporary United States, primarily Colorado; hospitals, a family bakery, carnivals/circuses, and crime scenes; spans from the mid-1970s through the early 2000s across the five prophesied days of Jimmy Tock’s life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Life Expectancy right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Life Expectancy. The reading level is AR 5.8, 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 Fate vs. free will, Good vs. evil, Family and legacy.
How long does it take to read Life Expectancy?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Life Expectancy takes around 15h to finish. The book has 147,213 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Life Expectancy have an AR quiz?
Yes — Life Expectancy has an AR quiz available, worth 21 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 Life Expectancy?
Life Expectancy has an AR reading level of 5.8, 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.