What reading level is In the country of Queens?

In the country of Queens by Cari Best is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 970L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is In the country of Queens appropriate for?

In the country of Queens is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is In the country of Queens?

In the country of Queens is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does In the country of Queens have any content warnings?

In the country of Queens has a HootRating of 11ME (Moderate — 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 In the country of Queens?

In the country of Queens by Cari Best is 211 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

In the country of Queens

Cari Best

In the country of Queens

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cari Best

Reading Level 6-7 11ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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 faint scent of magnolia blossoms drifts through the warm summer air, mingling with the distant hum of a bustling Southern town. Eleven-year-old Shirley Alice feels the weight of silence pressing on her, a quietness that hides the ache of losing her father. As her world gently shifts, she learns that finding her voice is the first step toward healing and hope.

Themes

Family Coming of AgeHistoryLoss & Grief

Quick Assessment

Set in 1961, this middle-grade novel follows eleven-year-old Shirley Alice Burns as she navigates the challenges of grief and family life in a small Southern town. The story sensitively explores themes of loss, self-expression, and personal growth, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of death and emotional introspection, presented in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated In the country of Queens 11ME

In the country of Queens is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 970L across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, In the country of Queens works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate In the country of Queens as 11ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, In the country of Queens explores family, coming of age, history, and loss & grief — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

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 family, coming of age, history.

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.