What reading level is The hawk of the castle?

The hawk of the castle by Danna Smith is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 760L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The hawk of the castle appropriate for?

The hawk of the castle is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

What genre is The hawk of the castle?

The hawk of the castle is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does The hawk of the castle have any content warnings?

The hawk of the castle has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). 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 hawk of the castle?

The hawk of the castle by Danna Smith is 35 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The hawk of the castle

Danna Smith

The hawk of the castle

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Story of Medieval Falconry

by Danna Smith

Illustrated by Ibatoulline, Bagram, illustrator

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

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

About This Book

The sharp cry of the goshawk slices through the crisp castle air, feathers fluttering against the cool wind. Feel the rough leather of the falconer's glove as a young girl and her father prepare their magnificent bird for flight. Their bond grows stronger with every beat of powerful wings, soaring high above ancient stone walls.

Themes

Family Adventure Historical Science & Nature

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction introduces readers to the art of falconry through the eyes of a young girl and her father, who is a falconer at a medieval castle. The story offers educational insights into the sport's preparation and equipment while fostering themes of family connection and respect for nature. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains no content concerns and highlights an engaging historical hobby.

Why we rated The hawk of the castle 9C

The hawk of the castle is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 760L across 35 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hawk of the castle works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The hawk of the castle as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, The hawk of the castle explores family, adventure, historical, and science & nature — 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 family, adventure, historical.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.