Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Redwall
Brian Jacques
Redwall
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
20th Anniversary Gift Package (Redwall)
by Brian Jacques
Illustrated by Gary Chalk
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
What if a peaceful abbey hidden in the forest became the last hope against a fierce enemy? Imagine brave mice, clever hares, and loyal badgers uniting to protect their home from danger. But can they overcome the shadows before Redwall falls forever?
Quick Assessment
Redwall is a classic fantasy adventure that follows a community of woodland creatures defending their home against an evil warlord. Suitable for ages 13 and up, this book offers rich storytelling with themes of courage, friendship, and good versus evil. Parents should note that the book includes fantasy violence typical of heroic quests but is appropriate for young adult readers interested in action-packed animal tales.
Why we rated Redwall ME (Moderate)
Redwall is written at a Level 7 reading level across 352 pages. Upper Grades (Ages 13+) is the typical interest range for this book — readers in that age band have the maturity and attention span suited to the story, separate from whether they can decode the words.
We rate Redwall as ME (Moderate, mostly 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, physical peril — 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, Redwall explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, and animals — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
ME · Moderate · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780142409459
- Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Perfection Learning
- Published
- October 4, 2007
- Type
- Fiction