What reading level is Sticks & stones?

Sticks & stones by Abby Cooper is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Sticks & stones appropriate for?

Sticks & stones is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Sticks & stones?

Sticks & stones is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Sticks & stones have any content warnings?

Sticks & stones has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). 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 Sticks & stones?

Sticks & stones by Abby Cooper is 280 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Sticks & stones

Abby Cooper

Sticks & stones

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Abby Cooper

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

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

The soft rustle of paper and quiet whispers fill the school hallways, but Elyse can hear something more—words that appear on her skin like invisible ink coming to life. Each phrase sticks, reminding her of who she is and what others see. Feeling the weight of these words, Elyse wonders how she can find her own voice and friendship amid the noise.

Themes

DiseasesMiddle schoolsSchoolsSelf-acceptanceFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Elyse, who has a rare genetic condition causing words spoken about her to appear on her skin. It explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the challenges of middle school, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of social and emotional topics related to bullying and chronic illness, handled with sensitivity.

Why we rated Sticks & stones 9ME

Sticks & stones is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 280 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sticks & stones works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Sticks & stones 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 — 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, Sticks & stones explores diseases, middle schools, schools, self-acceptance, and friendship — 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 diseases, middle schools, schools.

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.