Lizard
Dennis Covington
Lizard
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dennis Covington
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Lizard doesn’t look like most kids—his sea-green eyes sit on the side of his head, and his nose seems to lie sideways. Locked away in a strange school, he dreams of adventure beyond its walls. But when a mysterious man shows up claiming to be his father, Lizard faces a choice that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Lizard is a middle-grade novel about a thirteen-year-old boy with unique physical features who is sent to a state school under questionable circumstances. The story explores themes of identity, trust, and the desire for freedom as Lizard encounters a man claiming to be his father. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book addresses complex social themes with sensitivity and encourages discussions about adolescence and self-discovery.
Why we rated Lizard 11ME
Lizard is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lizard works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Lizard as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Lizard explores adolescence & coming of age, friendship, family, social justice, and performing arts — 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 adolescence & coming of age, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780440214908
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Laurel Leaf
- Published
- March 1, 1993
- Type
- Fiction