Parents' Guide to

Time Zero

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Girls struggle against extremism in taut sci-fi thriller.

Time Zero Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

Based on real-life religious beliefs practiced around the world, this dystopian saga, set in a transformed New York, powerfully and compassionately examines the plight of uneducated girls and women. In TIME ZERO, author Carolyn Cohagan delivers a vital message of female empowerment as she chronicles Mina's path toward enlightenment about the true nature of her world. Mina comes to life on the page as someone truly ready to question the status quo, but some of the supporting characters, especially the villainous one, seem one-dimensional.

A couple of well-constructed plot twists move the story in exciting new directions, and the book ends with a cliffhanger that will leave readers wanting more.

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate