Hearts That Cut
Kika Hatzopoulou
Hearts That Cut
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kika Hatzopoulou
The text is written at a 7th 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 a single golden thread could lead you to a hidden god? Imagine traveling through mysterious lands with Io and Bianca, facing fierce enemies and uncovering secrets that have been buried for centuries. But what if the truth they find changes everything they believe?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Io and Bianca on an adventurous quest across new lands, where they confront danger and unravel a centuries-old conspiracy. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story blends fantasy and mystery with themes of courage and discovery. The book contains mild peril but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Hearts That Cut 12LP
Hearts That Cut is written at a Level 7 reading level across 326 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hearts That Cut works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Hearts That Cut as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Hearts That Cut explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and mystery — 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, fantasy world-building, friendship.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780593857229
- Pages
- 326
- Publisher
- Penguin Young Readers Group
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction