Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Flip the bird
Kym Brunner
Flip the bird
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kym Brunner
The text is written at a 5th 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
What if training to be a falconer meant more than just caring for birds of prey? Imagine falling for someone who believes everything you love is wrong, and suddenly, your whole world is upside down. Can friendships and feelings survive when passions clash?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a young falconer in training who navigates the challenges of adolescence, including first love and conflicting values with an animal rights activist. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it explores themes of friendship, identity, and ethical debates around animal treatment without graphic content. Parents should note the story includes social dynamics around dating and activism but remains light and accessible.
Why we rated Flip the bird 10LE
Flip the bird is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 810L across 357 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Flip the bird works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate Flip the bird as 10LE ("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, Flip the bird explores falconry, animal rights, coming of age, friendship, and romance — 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 falconry, animal rights, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780544800854
- Pages
- 357
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 810L