The Boxtrolls
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
The Boxtrolls
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
The text is written at a 6th 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
Clink, clatter, and the smell of old metal fill the air as a hidden world thrives beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. Among the rusty treasures and secret tunnels lives Eggs, a boy raised by the quirky Boxtrolls, who collect junk and secrets alike. But when a sneaky pest exterminator threatens their home, can friendship and courage save the day?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Eggs, a boy raised by Boxtrolls—underground creatures who collect discarded items. When a villainous exterminator aims to destroy the Boxtrolls to climb social ranks, Eggs and an adventurous girl named Winnie work together to protect their worlds. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, belonging, and bravery with mild peril.
Why we rated The Boxtrolls 11LE
The Boxtrolls is written at a Level 6 reading level across 246 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Boxtrolls works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Boxtrolls as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The Boxtrolls explores fantasy, friendship, orphans, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, friendship, orphans.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316332644
- Pages
- 246
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction