What reading level is Roanoke?

Roanoke by Lee Miller is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Roanoke appropriate for?

Roanoke is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

Does Roanoke have any content warnings?

Roanoke has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke by Lee Miller is 112 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Roanoke

Lee Miller

Roanoke

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

the mystery of the Lost Colony

by Lee Miller

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

A Junior Library Guild selection

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 gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

The salty breeze carries whispers of a vanished colony, where footsteps once echoed on Roanoke's sandy shores. Imagine the crunch of leaves underfoot and the flicker of campfires long gone, hiding secrets that still puzzle us today. What happened to those brave settlers who disappeared without a trace?

Themes

Historical Mystery Adventure Science & Nature

Quick Assessment

Roanoke explores the enduring mystery of the lost colony through carefully examined historical clues, making it an engaging read for children aged 9 to 12. The story emphasizes critical thinking about history without graphic content, suitable for middle-grade readers interested in historical fiction and mysteries. Parents can expect a thoughtful approach to a historical enigma, with no intense themes or mature content.

Why we rated Roanoke 9C

Roanoke is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Roanoke works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Roanoke as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Roanoke explores historical, mystery, adventure, and science & nature — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about historical, mystery, adventure.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Roanoke carries an award.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

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.