A season of secrets
Alison Cragin Herzig
A season of secrets
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alison Cragin Herzig
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what secrets a family might hide? Brooke notices her little brother suddenly fainting, but nobody talks about why. And why does he care so much about a bat named Lucifur? The answers might change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Brooke as she navigates her brother's unexplained fainting spells and his unusual attachment to a pet bat. The story gently introduces themes of epilepsy and sibling relationships, making it suitable for children ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the depiction of medical issues handled with care and sensitivity.
Why we rated A season of secrets 9LE
A season of secrets is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 193 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A season of secrets works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A season of secrets as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, A season of secrets explores family, disability representation, animals, and sibling relationships — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, disability representation, animals.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0316358894
- Pages
- 193
- Publisher
- Little Brown
- Published
- 1982
- Type
- Fiction