What reading level is Level up?

Level up by Kaitlyn Duling is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Level up appropriate for?

Level up is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

What genre is Level up?

Level up is nonfiction. Part of the Gaming and eSports; Escape series.

Does Level up have any content warnings?

Level up has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). 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 Level up?

Level up by Kaitlyn Duling is 32 pages (approximately 1,609 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Level up

Kaitlyn Duling

Level up

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Secrets of the Games We Love

by Kaitlyn Duling

Gaming and eSports; Escape

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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 gentle with no concerning themes.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

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

About This Book

Dive into the exciting world of video games and discover cool secrets about popular games and their heroes! Packed with colorful pictures and fun facts, this book makes learning about gaming history and hidden surprises super easy and entertaining. Perfect for gamers who want to boost their reading skills while exploring the games they love.

Themes

GamingEducationTechnologyReading Skills

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Level up 9C

Level up is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 1,609 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Level up works for readers up to grade 6.9.

Read aloud, Level up takes about 11 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Level up as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

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

Thematically, Level up explores gaming, education, technology, and reading skills — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about gaming, education, technology.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.