What reading level is One true way?

One true way by Shannon Hitchcock is at a Level 4 reading level (Lexile 560L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is One true way appropriate for?

One true way is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change, Social Discrimination.

What genre is One true way?

One true way is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does One true way have any content warnings?

One true way has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change, Social Discrimination. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is One true way?

One true way by Shannon Hitchcock is 213 pages (approximately 31,477 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

One true way

Shannon Hitchcock

One true way

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Shannon Hitchcock

Reading Level 4 9ME Ages 9-12 Heads Up Rich Discussion

The text is written at a 4th 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

Set in the 1970s, this heartfelt story follows a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up while discovering her identity and facing the difficulties of being different in her community. Through her journey, readers gain insight into the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth and the importance of acceptance and understanding. It's a powerful exploration of family, friendship, and self-discovery.

Themes

LGBTQ+ Representation Coming of Age Family Social Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include identity & self-discovery, family change, social discrimination. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated One true way 9ME

One true way is written at a Level 4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 560L across 213 pages (approximately 31,477 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, One true way works for readers up to grade 6.0.

Read aloud, One true way runs about 3.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate One true way as 9ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change, Social Discrimination.

Thematically, One true way explores lgbtq+ representation, coming of age, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, coming of age, family.