What reading level is Lilies of the Field?

Lilies of the Field by William E Barrett is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 770L). Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What genre is Lilies of the Field?

Lilies of the Field is fiction — Fiction.

How many pages is Lilies of the Field?

Lilies of the Field by William E Barrett is 127 pages (approximately 18,833 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Lilies of the Field

William E Barrett

Lilies of the Field

Q: What age is Lilies of the Field appropriate for?

Lilies of the Field is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 10MS (Moderate — Social). Content flags: Alcohol Abuse, Shaving/Cutting, Razors, Unborn Child, Religious Themes, Homelessness, Minority Misrepresentation, Someone Leaves Without Saying Goodbye.

Q: Does Lilies of the Field have any content warnings?

Lilies of the Field has a HootRating of 10MS (Moderate — Social). Content flags include: Alcohol Abuse, Shaving/Cutting, Razors, Unborn Child, Religious Themes, Homelessness, Minority Misrepresentation, Someone Leaves Without Saying Goodbye. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by William E Barrett

Reading Level 5-6 10MS Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

An unexpected friendship blossoms between a determined ex-soldier and a spirited group of nuns as they join forces to construct a chapel in the middle of the desert. Their shared vision challenges obstacles and cultural divides, revealing the power of faith and perseverance. Together, they discover how hope and cooperation can turn dreams into reality.

Themes

FriendshipFaithFamilyCultural DifferencesPerseverance

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include alcohol abuse, shaving/cutting, razors. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated Lilies of the Field 10MS

Lilies of the Field is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 770L across 127 pages (approximately 18,833 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lilies of the Field works for readers up to grade 7.4.

Read aloud, Lilies of the Field runs about 2.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Lilies of the Field as 10MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Alcohol Abuse, Shaving/Cutting, Razors, Unborn Child, Religious Themes, Homelessness, Minority Misrepresentation, Someone Leaves Without Saying Goodbye.

Thematically, Lilies of the Field explores friendship, faith, family, cultural differences, and perseverance — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, faith, family.