Hunter

Name: Hunter
Author: Michael Owen Carroll
ISBN: 9780399163678

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a Super human clash

by Michael Owen Carroll

Reading Level 3-4 ME · Moderate · Emotional Ages 11+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

Lance McKendrick doesn't have superpowers, but he's about to take on the most dangerous villains in the world with nothing but his clever mind and courage. While powerful heroes clash over control of the future, Lance is on a personal mission for justice that could change everything. Can a regular kid outsmart supervillains and find what really matters?

Themes

SuperheroesSupervillainsAdventureRevengeFamily

Quick Assessment

Lance McKendrick, a powerless teen con artist, leaves his superhuman friends to track down the villain who murdered his family while rival telepaths battle over control of the superhuman world. Expect frequent fantasy violence, grief over family and character deaths, and a vengeance-driven plot with real moral tension. It suits readers who can handle intense action and emotional loss, and parents may want to discuss how revenge affects Lance's choices.

Why we rated Hunter ME (Moderate)

Hunter is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 360 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Hunter on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Hunter as ME (Moderate, mostly 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death, LGBT Character Death.

Thematically, Hunter explores superheroes, supervillains, adventure, revenge, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about superheroes, supervillains, adventure.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.

For Parents

Content Intensity

ME · Moderate · Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Moderate

Social

Mild

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.