What reading level is Adrian and the Tree of Secrets?

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets by Hubert is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Adrian and the Tree of Secrets appropriate for?

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Divorce & Family Change.

What genre is Adrian and the Tree of Secrets?

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets is fiction — Catholic high school students.

Does Adrian and the Tree of Secrets have any content warnings?

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Divorce & Family Change. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Adrian and the Tree of Secrets?

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets by Hubert is 128 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets

Hubert

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Hubert

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched Rich Discussion

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Adrian clutches the scooter handle, heart pounding as Jeremy speeds toward the hidden treehouse. The leaves rustle softly around them, but a sudden shout shatters the quiet—someone’s caught them! What will happen to their secret now?

Themes

Friendship Coming of Age Family LGBTQ+ RepresentationLoveSchoolsGraphic Novel

Quick Assessment

This graphic novel follows Adrian, a thoughtful and nerdy teen navigating the challenges of Catholic school life, bullying, and strict family expectations while exploring his feelings for Jeremy, the popular kid. The story sensitively addresses themes of first love, identity, and courage, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and realistic portrayals of bullying and family dynamics.

Why we rated Adrian and the Tree of Secrets 9ME

Adrian and the Tree of Secrets is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Adrian and the Tree of Secrets works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Adrian and the Tree of Secrets as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Divorce & Family Change.

Thematically, Adrian and the Tree of Secrets explores friendship, coming of age, family, lgbtq+ representation, and love — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

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.
✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.