Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Expelled
James Patterson
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
We may earn a commission from these links.
About This Book
What if you got blamed for something you never did and kicked out of school? Theo’s secret Twitter life blows up when a photo gets him expelled, and now he’s stuck with no grades and no hope. But then Sasha, another kid who was wrongly expelled, talks to him — could teaming up to find the real culprit be their only chance?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Expelled follows Theo Foster and Sasha Ellis, two students who are pushed out of school for crimes they did not commit, as they secretly investigate their classmates and staff, including a vice principal. The story deals with social media humiliation, family strain, grief, and the pressure of being judged by a community, with some tension and suspicion throughout but no graphic content described in the provided material. It is a fast-paced fit for teen readers who enjoy mysteries, and parents may want to talk about privacy, online reputation, and the ethics of secretly recording people.
Why we rated Expelled LE (Mild)
Expelled is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 296 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.
We rate Expelled as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Expelled explores social media, family, friendship, grief, and mystery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about social media, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
If your child liked this book, they might like these
Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
Deadly
Sara Shepard
Deadly
Sara Shepard
Twisted
Sara Shepard
Twisted
Sara Shepard
Antisocial
Jillian Blake
Antisocial
Jillian Blake
The murder of an angel
James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
The murder of an angel
James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
Also known as
Robin Benway
Also known as
Robin Benway
In a split second
Sophie McKenzie
In a split second
Sophie McKenzie
Dead ends
Erin Jade Lange
Dead ends
Erin Jade Lange
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316440394
- Pages
- 296
- Publisher
- jimmy patterson
- Published
- 2017-10
- Type
- Fiction