What reading level is Alive?

Alive by Chandler Baker is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 740L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Alive appropriate for?

Alive is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

Does Alive have any content warnings?

Alive has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Alive?

Alive by Chandler Baker is 360 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Alive

Chandler Baker

Alive

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Chandler Baker

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

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

Stella's heart is a ticking clock, but a miracle transplant gives her a second chance at life. Suddenly, she’s facing strange dreams and a mysterious pain that never quits. Then she meets Levi—someone who makes her heart ache in ways she never expected, but what if her heart is hiding secrets?

Themes

Heart TransplantationLoveComing of Age FriendshipFiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores themes of hope, love, and the complexities of heart transplantation through the story of Stella, a teen who receives a life-saving transplant but experiences unsettling side effects. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses medical challenges and emotional growth without graphic content. Parents should note the presence of some intense emotional moments and mild fantasy elements tied to Stella’s experiences.

Why we rated Alive 9ME

Alive is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 740L across 360 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Alive works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Alive 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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Alive explores heart transplantation, love, coming of age, friendship, and fiction — 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 heart transplantation, love, coming of age.

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.