What reading level is Close to the wind?

Close to the wind by Jon Walter is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Close to the wind appropriate for?

Close to the wind is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Close to the wind?

Close to the wind is fiction — Children's stories.

Does Close to the wind have any content warnings?

Close to the wind has a HootRating of 9ME (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 Close to the wind?

Close to the wind by Jon Walter is 290 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Close to the wind

Jon Walter

Close to the wind

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jon Walter

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to leave everything behind and start over in a new place? Imagine a boy whose life is turned upside down by war, finding hope and friendship where he least expects it. But will he ever feel truly safe again?

Themes

RefugeesOrphansFamily FriendshipJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

Close to the Wind follows a young boy's journey as he navigates life as a refugee, facing challenges of loss and displacement while building new connections. Suitable for ages 9-12, this story sensitively explores themes of family, resilience, and belonging without graphic content. Parents should note the emotional depth surrounding topics like war and orphanhood, presented thoughtfully for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated Close to the wind 9ME

Close to the wind is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 290 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Close to the wind works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Close to the wind 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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Close to the wind explores refugees, orphans, family, friendship, 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 refugees, orphans, 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.