Rumor has it

Name: Rumor has it
Author: Jane B. Mason
ISBN: 9780545166768

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jane B. Mason

Candy Apple

Reading Level 5 C · Gentle Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

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About This Book

Audrey is eager to befriend the new girl, Mailee, but isn't sure if the feeling is mutual. To uncover the truth, she creates a secret slam book where classmates share their thoughts anonymously, sparking excitement and curiosity throughout sixth grade. As the gossip spreads, Audrey must decide if discovering everyone's secrets is worth the trouble it brings.

Themes

FriendshipGossipMiddle school studentsJuvenile fiction

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include friendship. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Rumor has it C (Gentle)

Rumor has it is written at a Level 5 reading level across 142 pages (approximately 26,046 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Rumor has it on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Rumor has it runs about 2.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Rumor has it as C (Gentle) 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Friendship.

Thematically, Rumor has it explores friendship, gossip, middle school students, and juvenile fiction — 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 friendship, gossip, middle school students.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the Candy Apple series.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.