Hick
Andrea Portes
Hick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrea Portes
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Luli is no ordinary thirteen-year-old—she’s brave enough to leave everything behind to change her life. When her home feels unsafe, she takes on a risky adventure in Las Vegas, meeting new friends who show her both tricks and danger. But can she find her own way before the stakes get too high?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores complex themes of family dysfunction, survival, and early self-discovery through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl facing difficult home circumstances. It contains mature content including references to substance abuse, emotional distress, and risky behavior, making it suitable for older middle-grade readers with parental guidance. The story highlights resilience and the challenges of growing up in unstable environments.
Why we rated Hick 11IE
Hick is written at a Level 6 reading level across 245 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hick works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hick as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Substance Use, Family Conflict, Risky Behavior.
Thematically, Hick explores family, coming of age, survival, and adventure — 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 family, coming of age, survival.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9781932961324
- Pages
- 245
- Publisher
- Unbridled Books
- Published
- April 15, 2007
- Type
- Fiction