Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout
Richard Hamilton
Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Richard Hamilton
Illustrated by Sam Hearn
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
Jack's bedroom is spinning as shadowy figures burst through a hole in time! Suddenly, he's face-to-face with daring eighteenth-century highwaymen who aren't quite sure where – or when – they are. Just as Jack tries to make sense of it all, a secret plan unfolds that could change history forever.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Jack, who discovers a portal to the eighteenth century right in his grandmother's house. The story blends historical fantasy and action, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12, with engaging scenes that encourage imagination and curiosity about history. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and fantasy violence typical of adventurous fiction.
Why we rated Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout 9LP
Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Jack Bolt and the Highwaymen's Hideout explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and coming of age — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781599900919
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- October 30, 2007
- Type
- Fiction