Lost Prince
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Lost Prince
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The chilly wind carries the sharp scent of smoke and the distant clatter of hurried footsteps. Marco, clutching a worn map, feels the rough cobblestones beneath his feet as he and The Rat slip through shadowed alleys. Their hearts beat with hope and fear—can two brave boys really change the fate of a whole kingdom?
Quick Assessment
Lost Prince is a classic middle-grade novel about a young refugee, Marco Loristan, and his loyal friend The Rat, as they undertake a perilous journey across Europe to fight for freedom in their homeland. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of courage, friendship, and resilience against political turmoil. The book contains mild peril and adventure but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Lost Prince 12LE
Lost Prince is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lost Prince works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Lost Prince 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, Lost Prince explores adventure, friendship, coming of age, and historical — 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 adventure, friendship, coming of age.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Lost Prince
Matt Myklusch
Lost Prince
Matt Myklusch
Lost Prince, The
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Lost Prince, The
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince (Puffin Classics)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince (Puffin Classics)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Lost Prince
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Lost Prince
Julie Kagawa
Lost Prince
Julie Kagawa
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781843915232
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Hesperus Minor
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction