What reading level is Breaking rank?

Breaking rank by Kristen D. Randle is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is Breaking rank appropriate for?

Breaking rank is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Mild Peril, Social Conflict.

What genre is Breaking rank?

Breaking rank is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does Breaking rank have any content warnings?

Breaking rank has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Mild Peril, Social Conflict. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Breaking rank?

Breaking rank by Kristen D. Randle is 201 pages (approximately 52,911 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Breaking rank

Kristen D. Randle

Breaking rank

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Kristen D. Randle

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched Rich Discussion

The text is written at a 4th 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

Casey is nervous when she has to tutor Thomas, known as Baby, a quiet member of a secretive gang called the Clan. As they grow closer, Baby starts to pull away from his brother and the gang that feels like family, while Casey begins to question everything she thought was safe. Their connection leads both teens to face tough decisions that will change their lives forever.

Themes

Friendship Coming of Age FamilyHigh SchoolGangsSocial Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include bullying, fear & anxiety, identity & self-discovery. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated Breaking rank 9ME

Breaking rank is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 201 pages (approximately 52,911 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breaking rank works for readers up to grade 6.4.

Read aloud, Breaking rank runs about 5.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Breaking rank 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Fear & Anxiety, Identity & Self-Discovery, Mild Peril, Social Conflict.

Thematically, Breaking rank explores friendship, coming of age, family, high school, and gangs — 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 13+ 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.