What reading level is Dark passage?

Dark passage by Ridley Pearson is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 670L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Dark passage appropriate for?

Dark passage is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Dark passage?

Dark passage is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Dark passage have any content warnings?

Dark passage has a HootRating of 8LE (Light — 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 Dark passage?

Dark passage by Ridley Pearson is 437 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Dark passage

Ridley Pearson

Dark passage

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Dark Passage

by Ridley Pearson

Reading Level 3-4 8LE Ages 5-8 Matched

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The Kingdom Keepers race through the bustling cruise ship, clutching a stolen journal that holds a secret no one else knows. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appears—Maleficent is closer than ever. Can they solve the puzzle before it's too late?

Themes

Adventure Fantasy World-Building FriendshipGood and EvilMystery

Quick Assessment

This early reader adventure follows five friends known as the Kingdom Keepers as they uncover a dangerous plot by Disney villains aboard a cruise ship traveling through the Panama Canal. The story weaves in fantasy elements, teamwork, and problem-solving across exciting locations like caves and jungles. Suitable for ages 5-8, it contains mild fantasy peril appropriate for young readers.

Why we rated Dark passage 8LE

Dark passage is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 670L across 437 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dark passage works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate Dark passage as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Dark passage explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, good and evil, and mystery — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.