What reading level is Ballad?

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater is at a Level 7 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is Ballad appropriate for?

Ballad is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 12ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Ballad?

Ballad is fiction — Boarding schools.

Does Ballad have any content warnings?

Ballad has a HootRating of 12ME (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 Ballad?

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater is 388 pages.

Ballad

Maggie Stiefvater

Ballad

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Maggie Stiefvater

Reading Level 7 12ME Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp rustle of autumn leaves crunches underfoot as the eerie whispers of faeries swirl through the chilly air. At Thornking-Ash, shadows stretch long, and James feels his heart tugged between two mysterious girls — Dee and the haunting faerie muse, Nuala. When Halloween’s dark magic threatens them both, he faces a choice that could change everything.

Themes

Love & RomanceFantasy World-Building AdventurePerforming ArtsFriendship

Quick Assessment

This sequel to LAMENT continues to explore the complex and sometimes dark world of faeries at a boarding school setting. The story delves into themes of love, loyalty, and difficult choices, with fantasy elements that include supernatural danger. Recommended for teens 13 and older due to emotional intensity and fantasy peril.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12ME — Moderate — Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Clear

Thematic

Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

388 pages

ISBN: 9781407121123
Pages: 388
Publisher: Brand: Scholastic
Published: May 01, 2011
Type: Fiction

Genres

Boarding schools

Subjects

Action & AdventureLove & RomancePerforming ArtsMusicSchool & EducationFantasy & MagicParanormal, Occult & SupernaturalYoung Adult FictionMagicFairiesMusiciansSupernaturalBoarding SchoolsSchoolsParanormal FictionScience FictionFantasy FictionParanormal Romance Stories