Hear
Robin Epstein
Hear
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robin Epstein
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The hum of machines buzzes in the air, mixing with whispers only Kass can hear. Her fingers tingle as visions flash before her eyes—secrets not meant to be known. When danger strikes close, will her special gift be enough to save a friend?
Quick Assessment
Hear is a middle-grade thriller featuring Kassandra Black, who discovers her telepathic and precognitive abilities while working in a university lab focused on ESP research. The story explores friendship, trust, and mystery as Kass confronts the murder of a fellow student. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book contains themes of suspense and mild peril but handles them with sensitivity.
Why we rated Hear 11ME
Hear is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hear works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hear as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Hear explores adventure, mystery, friendship, coming of age, and science & nature — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781616955816
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Soho Press
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction