What reading level is The hand?

The hand by Guy de Maupassant is at a Level 6-7 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is The hand appropriate for?

The hand is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 11IP (Intense — Physical). Content flags: Domestic Violence, Needles/Syringes, Sexual Content, Sad Ending.

What genre is The hand?

The hand is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Creative Short Stories series.

Does The hand have any content warnings?

The hand has a HootRating of 11IP (Intense — Physical). Content flags include: Domestic Violence, Needles/Syringes, Sexual Content, Sad Ending. 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 hand?

The hand by Guy de Maupassant is 32 pages (approximately 2,204 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

The hand

Guy de Maupassant

The hand

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Guy de Maupassant

Creative Short Stories

Reading Level 6-7 11IP Ages 13+ Matched Page-Turner

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

A chilling tale unfolds when a man is discovered strangled in his own home, just as the severed hand he kept mounted on his wall vanishes without a trace. Dark secrets and eerie mysteries intertwine in this suspenseful story that will keep readers on edge until the final, haunting moments.

Themes

Horror

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include domestic violence, needles/syringes, sexual content. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated The hand 11IP

The hand is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 2,204 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hand works for readers up to grade 8.6.

Read aloud, The hand takes about 15 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate The hand as 11IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Domestic Violence, Needles/Syringes, Sexual Content, Sad Ending.

Thematically, The hand centers on horror.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 horror.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 3 more books in the Creative Short Stories series.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.