What reading level is Beware the clopper!?

Beware the clopper! by John Bemelmans Marciano is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 700L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Beware the clopper! appropriate for?

Beware the clopper! is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Beware the clopper!?

Beware the clopper! is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Beware the clopper! have any content warnings?

Beware the clopper! has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — 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 Beware the clopper!?

Beware the clopper! by John Bemelmans Marciano is 135 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Beware the clopper!

John Bemelmans Marciano

Beware the clopper!

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a Maria Beppina story

by John Bemelmans Marciano

Illustrated by Blackall, Sophie, illustrator

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if you lived in a town where witches lurk in wells and under bridges, waiting to play tricks on Mischief Season? Imagine five cousins who must use all their cleverness to outsmart the Manalonga, the Janara, and the mysterious Clopper before midnight strikes. Can they uncover the witches’ secrets and stay safe, or will the clopper catch them first?

Themes

FantasyAdventureMagicFamilyJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

Set in the ancient town of Benevento, this middle-grade fantasy follows five cousins as they navigate encounters with local witches known for their magical mischief. The stories blend adventure and folklore, offering exciting yet age-appropriate suspense for readers around 9 to 12 years old. Parents should note themes of magic and mild peril typical of juvenile fiction.

Why we rated Beware the clopper! 9LE

Beware the clopper! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 700L across 135 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Beware the clopper! works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Beware the clopper! 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, Beware the clopper! explores fantasy, adventure, magic, family, and juvenile 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 fantasy, adventure, magic.