What reading level is Hail?

Hail by Liza N. Burby is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Hail appropriate for?

Hail is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

Hail is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction. Part of the Extreme Weather (Rosen) series.

Does Hail have any content warnings?

Hail has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). 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 Hail?

Hail by Liza N. Burby is 24 pages (approximately 930 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Hail

Liza N. Burby

Hail

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Liza N. Burby

Extreme Weather (Rosen)

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Discover the fascinating journey of hail from tiny ice crystals high in the sky to powerful storms that can surprise us on the ground. Learn how hailstones form, the impact they can have on people and property, and important tips to stay safe when the weather turns wild. This engaging guide makes the science behind hailstorms easy and exciting to explore.

Themes

Science & NatureSafety

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Hail 9C

Hail is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 24 pages (approximately 930 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hail works for readers up to grade 6.2.

Read aloud, Hail takes about 6 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Hail as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Hail weaves together science & nature and safety.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, safety.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

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.