Hidden
Cathy Glass
Hidden
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Betrayed, Exploited and Forgotten. How One Boy Overcame the Odds
by Cathy Glass
The text is written at a 7th 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 sharp scent of smoke lingers in the air as Tayo steps quietly into a new home, his clothes worn and his past a mystery whispered in silence. Every step he takes hides stories no one can see, while his polite words mask the shadows of a life lived on the edge. But beneath the calm surface, a storm of secrets and hope begins to stir, waiting to be uncovered.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Hidden is a compelling middle-grade novel that explores the challenging realities of foster care through the story of Tayo, a young boy with a mysterious and troubling past. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book addresses themes of family separation, illegal immigration, and resilience, with some emotional intensity related to trauma and uncertainty. Parents should be aware that the story involves complex social issues and may prompt thoughtful discussions about identity and belonging.
Why we rated Hidden 12ME
Hidden is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hidden works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Hidden as 12ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Trauma, Family Separation, Illegal Immigration.
Thematically, Hidden explores foster care, family, identity & self-discovery, and multicultural — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about foster care, family, identity & self-discovery.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780008219789
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- HarperElement
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Nonfiction