Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Every hidden thing
Kenneth Oppel
Every hidden thing
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kenneth Oppel
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
Samuel digs through the hot Badlands, his heart pounding as the giant dinosaur bones start to peek through the dirt. Just when he thinks he's found the Black Beauty, a shadow moves nearby—someone else is after the same treasure! What will happen when their paths collide?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel follows seventeen-year-old Samuel and Rachel as they search for a legendary dinosaur skeleton in the Badlands amidst family rivalries and personal struggles. It explores themes of adventure, paleontology, love, and family dynamics appropriate for middle-grade readers. While the story includes some tension and mild peril, it is suitable for readers aged 8 and up, with no graphic content.
Why we rated Every hidden thing 8LE
Every hidden thing is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 650L across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Every hidden thing works for readers up to grade 5.5.
We rate Every hidden thing 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, Every hidden thing explores dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology, love, and families — 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 dinosaurs, fossils, paleontology.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481464161
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 650L