What reading level is Sword in the stacks?

Sword in the stacks by Jen Swann Downey is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 880L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Sword in the stacks appropriate for?

Sword in the stacks is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10MT (Moderate — Thematic).

What genre is Sword in the stacks?

Sword in the stacks is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Sword in the stacks have any content warnings?

Sword in the stacks has a HootRating of 10MT (Moderate — Thematic). 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 Sword in the stacks?

Sword in the stacks by Jen Swann Downey is 390 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Sword in the stacks

Jen Swann Downey

Sword in the stacks

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Sword in the Stacks

by Jen Swann Downey

Reading Level 5-6 10MT 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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The rustle of ancient pages fills the air, mingling with the faint scent of old wood and ink. Dorrie feels the cool grip of a hidden sword beneath her cloak as she steps into the shadows of 1912 England. Every choice she makes could change the fate of the secret library—and her own destiny.

Themes

CensorshipLibrariansSecret societiesAdventureTime Travel

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade adventure follows Dorrie, an apprentice on a mission to 1912 England, who faces critical decisions that might expose a secret society guarding a powerful library. The story explores themes of censorship and bravery appropriate for ages 9 to 12, with mild suspense but no graphic content. It encourages curiosity about history and the importance of knowledge.

Why we rated Sword in the stacks 10MT

Sword in the stacks is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 880L across 390 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sword in the stacks works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Sword in the stacks as 10MT ("Moderate — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from thematic difficulty — 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 mild intensity score.

Thematically, Sword in the stacks explores censorship, librarians, secret societies, adventure, and time travel — 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 censorship, librarians, secret societies.