Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Closer
Roderick Gordon
Closer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Roderick Gordon
The text is written at a 6th 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
The damp air smells of earth and mystery as Will Burrows listens to the distant echoes beneath the ground. Deep inside a secret world no one knows, danger creeps ever closer with every heartbeat. Somewhere above, friends race against time to unlock secrets that might change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Will Burrows as he navigates a hidden world beneath the earth, pursued by relentless enemies known as the Styx. Parallel to his journey, allies on the surface uncover vital secrets that add urgency and depth to the story. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book includes themes of action, adventure, and historical elements with some suspenseful moments but no graphic content.
Why we rated Closer 11LP
Closer is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 940L across 527 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Closer works for readers up to grade 8.5.
We rate Closer as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Closer explores adventure, action & adventure, historical, science & nature, and friendship — 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 adventure, action & adventure, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545201155
- Pages
- 527
- Publisher
- Chicken House
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 940L