What reading level is Odd one out?

Odd one out by Nic Stone is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 780L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Odd one out appropriate for?

Odd one out is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Odd one out?

Odd one out is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does Odd one out have any content warnings?

Odd one out has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Odd one out?

Odd one out by Nic Stone is 309 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

Odd one out

Nic Stone

Odd one out

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Nic Stone

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

Coop and Jupe have been best friends forever, but what happens when friendship starts feeling like something more? Then Rae shows up and shakes everything up, making everyone wonder who they really are—and who they want to be with. This story proves that figuring out love isn’t simple, but it’s always worth it.

Themes

Friendship Coming of Age Family Romance LGBTQ+ RepresentationHigh SchoolsSocial Customs

Quick Assessment

This heartfelt middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, first love, and sexual orientation through the experiences of two best friends and a new girl in town. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles topics like dating and identity with sensitivity and honesty, making it a great choice for children beginning to navigate social relationships and self-discovery. Parents should note the presence of dating themes and discussions of sexual orientation presented in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated Odd one out 9ME

Odd one out is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 780L across 309 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Odd one out works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Odd one out as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — 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 mild intensity score.

Thematically, Odd one out explores friendship, coming of age, family, romance, and lgbtq+ representation — 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 friendship, coming of age, family.