What reading level is Hideout?

Hideout by Gordon Korman is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Hideout appropriate for?

Hideout is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Hideout?

Hideout is fiction — Animal rescue.

Does Hideout have any content warnings?

Hideout has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). 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 Hideout?

Hideout by Gordon Korman is 273 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Hideout

Gordon Korman

Hideout

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

(Swindle Mystery: Book 5)

by Gordon Korman

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Griffin and Savannah dart through the shadows, clutching Luthor's leash tight as footsteps thunder behind them. The crook Swindle is closer than ever, desperate to snatch the Doberman back. Can they keep Luthor safe long enough to outsmart their sneaky enemy?

Themes

Friendship Adventure HumorAnimalsJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows a group of friends as they protect their dog, Luthor, from a threatening former owner. It combines action, humor, and themes of friendship suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the story includes mild peril and tense moments but is overall an engaging adventure with positive messages.

Why we rated Hideout 9LE

Hideout is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 273 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hideout works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Hideout as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Hideout explores friendship, adventure, humor, animals, and juvenile fiction — 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 friendship, adventure, humor.