What reading level is Lily and Taylor?

Lily and Taylor by Elise Moser is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Lily and Taylor appropriate for?

Lily and Taylor is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Domestic Abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional Trauma.

What genre is Lily and Taylor?

Lily and Taylor is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Lily and Taylor have any content warnings?

Lily and Taylor has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Domestic Abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional Trauma. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Lily and Taylor?

Lily and Taylor by Elise Moser is 188 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Lily and Taylor

Elise Moser

Lily and Taylor

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Elise Moser

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 9-12 Heads Up

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

The sharp, cold air bites as the cabin’s door slams shut behind them, cutting off any hope of escape. Inside, whispers of fear mix with the scent of pine and the weight of silence, as two girls face a danger that feels too big to fight. How do you hold on when everything you know is slipping away?

Themes

Family Friendship Survival Coming of AgeJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores heavy themes such as domestic abuse, kidnapping, and trauma through the story of two girls forming a fragile friendship amid danger. It candidly portrays the emotional struggles of teenagers dealing with family violence and abusive relationships, making it suitable for mature readers aged 9-12 who can handle intense subject matter. Parents should be aware of the book's frank depiction of abuse and its psychological impact.

Why we rated Lily and Taylor 9IE

Lily and Taylor is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lily and Taylor works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Lily and Taylor as 9IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Domestic Abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional Trauma.

Thematically, Lily and Taylor explores family, friendship, survival, coming of age, and juvenile fiction — 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 family, friendship, survival.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Lily and Taylor carries an award.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.