What reading level is Buzz Kill?

Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey is at a Level 6 reading level (Lexile 920L). Recommended for Middle Grades Plus readers (Ages 11+).

What age is Buzz Kill appropriate for?

Buzz Kill is recommended for Ages 11+. HootRating: 11MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags: Profanity, Sexual References, Violence.

Does Buzz Kill have any content warnings?

Buzz Kill has a HootRating of 11MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags include: Profanity, Sexual References, Violence. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Buzz Kill?

Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey is 368 pages (approximately 77,391 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Buzz Kill

Beth Fantaskey

Buzz Kill

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Beth Fantaskey

Reading Level 6 11MP Ages 11+ Matched

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Seventeen-year-old Millie teams up with the intriguing Chase Colton to solve the shocking murder of their school's beloved football coach, Hollerin' Hank Killdare. Their investigation uncovers secrets that challenge their courage and friendship as they race to reveal the truth. Suspense and mystery keep readers hooked until the very end.

Themes

Mystery Friendship Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include profanity, sexual references, violence. Written for readers ages 11+.

Why we rated Buzz Kill 11MP

Buzz Kill is written at a Level 6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 920L across 368 pages (approximately 77,391 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Buzz Kill works for readers up to grade 8.0.

Read aloud, Buzz Kill runs about 8.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Buzz Kill as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Profanity, Sexual References, Violence.

Thematically, Buzz Kill explores mystery, friendship, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, friendship, 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.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.