What reading level is The Crossing?

The Crossing by Gary Paulsen is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is The Crossing appropriate for?

The Crossing is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Poverty & Hardship, Emotional problems.

What genre is The Crossing?

The Crossing is fiction — Border crossing.

Does The Crossing have any content warnings?

The Crossing has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Poverty & Hardship, Emotional problems. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Crossing?

The Crossing by Gary Paulsen is 114 pages.

The Crossing

Gary Paulsen

The Crossing

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Gary Paulsen

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Manny is not your average kid—he’s a street-smart survivor in a buzzing border town where every day is a fight. When a troubled American soldier steps into his life with a plan to help him cross the border, things get real—and fast. This friendship could change everything, but the risks are bigger than they seem.

Themes

Social Justice Friendship Coming of Age Family

Quick Assessment

The Crossing follows Manny, a thirteen-year-old boy living on the streets of a Mexican border town, who forms an unlikely bond with an emotionally troubled American soldier. Together, they navigate the dangers and challenges of trying to cross the border, confronting themes of poverty, homelessness, and emotional struggle. Suitable for teens ages 13 and up, the book handles serious social issues with sensitivity, making it appropriate for mature middle to high school readers.