What reading level is Left out?

Left out by Tim Green is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 800L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Left out appropriate for?

Left out is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Left out?

Left out is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Left out have any content warnings?

Left out has a HootRating of 10ME (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 Left out?

Left out by Tim Green is 341 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Left out

Tim Green

Left out

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tim Green

Reading Level 5-6 10ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Have you ever felt like no one really sees you? Landon Dorch wants to be just like everyone else, but his deafness and the way he talks make fitting in feel impossible. When he tries out for the football team, will he find a way to prove he belongs, or will he be left out for good?

Themes

Disability Representation Friendship Sports Coming of AgeBullying

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores the challenges faced by a deaf boy navigating a new school and his dream of joining the football team. It thoughtfully addresses themes of disability, bullying, and friendship in a way that is age-appropriate for 9-12-year-olds. Parents should note the presence of mild bullying and themes of overcoming adversity.

Why we rated Left out 10ME

Left out is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 800L across 341 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Left out works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Left out as 10ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — 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 mild intensity score.

Thematically, Left out explores disability representation, friendship, sports, coming of age, and bullying — 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 disability representation, friendship, sports.