Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Clown and the Clan
Matthew K. Manning
DC Comics (Stone Arch); Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
A fearless hero with a mysterious past joins forces with a close-knit group to face exciting challenges and uncover hidden secrets. Together, they learn the power of teamwork and courage in a world full of surprises. Adventure awaits around every corner as friendships grow stronger.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The Clown and the Clan LP (Mild)
The Clown and the Clan is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 821 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage The Clown and the Clan on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, The Clown and the Clan takes about 5 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The Clown and the Clan as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The Clown and the Clan explores adventure, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, coming of age.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the DC Comics (Stone Arch); Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading 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
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
9/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781496573827
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- Aug 01, 2018
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 821
- Read-Aloud
- ~5 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy