What reading level is Steeplejack?

Steeplejack by A. J. Hartley is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 930L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Steeplejack appropriate for?

Steeplejack is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Murder, Conspiracy.

What genre is Steeplejack?

Steeplejack is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Steeplejack have any content warnings?

Steeplejack has a HootRating of 11ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Murder, Conspiracy. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Steeplejack?

Steeplejack by A. J. Hartley is 334 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Steeplejack

A. J. Hartley

Steeplejack

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Book 1 in the Steeplejack Series

by A. J. Hartley

Reading Level 6-7 11ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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

What if you were the only one brave enough to solve a mystery no one else dared to touch? Imagine climbing towering steeples by day and chasing clues by night, surrounded by secrets and suspicion. Can you uncover the truth before the danger climbs too close?

Themes

Race RelationsInvestigationMystery Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

Steeplejack is a middle-grade mystery featuring a teenage female steeplejack who investigates the murder of her apprentice within a diverse and politically charged community. The story explores themes of race relations, justice, and conspiracy suitable for readers aged 9-12. It contains mild suspense and addresses complex social issues in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated Steeplejack 11ME

Steeplejack is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 930L across 334 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Steeplejack works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate Steeplejack as 11ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Conspiracy.

Thematically, Steeplejack explores race relations, investigation, mystery, and coming of age — 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 race relations, investigation, mystery.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.