What reading level is Burn?

Burn by Suzanne Phillips is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 640L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Burn appropriate for?

Burn is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bullying, Emotional Problems, Post-traumatic Stress.

Burn is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Burn have any content warnings?

Burn has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bullying, Emotional Problems, Post-traumatic Stress. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Burn?

Burn by Suzanne Phillips is 279 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Burn

Suzanne Phillips

Burn

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a novel

by Suzanne Phillips

Reading Level 3-4 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp sting of whispered words and the cold weight of being alone fill the halls every day. Cameron feels his anger bubbling up like a storm inside him, but no one seems to see the pain beneath. What happens when feelings get too big to hold?

Themes

BullyingEmotional ProblemsPost-traumatic Stress DisorderSchools

Quick Assessment

Burn is a fiction book aimed at early readers that explores the serious effects of bullying and emotional struggles faced by a young boy in high school. It addresses themes such as isolation and post-traumatic stress in an age-appropriate way for children aged 5-8, though the subject matter is quite heavy. Parents should be aware that the story deals with intense emotional issues and consequences stemming from bullying.

Why we rated Burn 8ME

Burn is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 640L across 279 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Burn works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate Burn as 8ME ("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, Emotional Problems, Post-traumatic Stress.

Thematically, Burn explores bullying, emotional problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schools — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about bullying, emotional problems, post-traumatic stress disorder.

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.