What reading level is The Deep & Dark Blue?

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith is at a Level 6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The Deep & Dark Blue appropriate for?

The Deep & Dark Blue is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is The Deep & Dark Blue?

The Deep & Dark Blue is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The Deep & Dark Blue have any content warnings?

The Deep & Dark Blue has a HootRating of 11ME (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 The Deep & Dark Blue?

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith is 256 pages.

The Deep & Dark Blue

Niki Smith

The Deep & Dark Blue

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Niki Smith

Reading Level 6 11ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 6th 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

Hawke and Grayson are twins on the run, hiding from danger and discovering powerful magic that can twist reality itself. But when Grayson finds a place where she can truly be herself, everything changes. This is a story about bravery, identity, and the fight to reclaim what’s lost.

Themes

Fantasy World-Building Adventure Friendship Coming of Age LGBTQ+ Representation Family

Quick Assessment

This graphic novel blends fantasy and adventure as two royal twins flee a political coup and join a magical order that manipulates reality. It explores themes of identity and self-discovery, including transgender representation, making it suitable for middle-grade readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the story contains some peril and complex emotional themes but is handled with care.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11ME — Moderate — Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Light

Social

Light

Thematic

Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

256 pages

ISBN: 9780316486019
Pages: 256
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: Jan 07, 2020
Type: Fiction

Genres

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Comics & Graphic NovelsAction & AdventureFairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & MythologyFantasyLgbtqNobilityComic Books, StripsCoups D'e TatMagicTwinsBrothers and SistersGender IdentityGraphic NovelsSocial ThemesGeneral