Lion Heart
A. C. Gaughen
Lion Heart
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Scarlet Novel
by A. C. Gaughen
The text is written at a 7th 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
The sharp clang of metal echoes through the forest as Scarlet dodges an arrow, her heart pounding like a drum in the quiet night. The scent of damp earth and pine fills the air as she races to find Rob in Nottingham, but danger shadows every step. With King Richard's fate hanging in the balance, Scarlet must choose between fear and bravery.
Quick Assessment
Set in a medieval world inspired by the Robin Hood legend, this middle-grade adventure follows Scarlet as she navigates loyalty, danger, and espionage while trying to help bring King Richard home safely. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of courage and friendship, with mild peril that is appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Lion Heart 12LE
Lion Heart is written at a Level 7 reading level across 346 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lion Heart works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Lion Heart as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Lion Heart explores adventure, friendship, family, historical, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, family.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780802736161
- Pages
- 346
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction