The hush
Skye Melki-Wegner
The hush
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Skye Melki-Wegner
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Chester’s fingers tremble over his fiddle strings as coins clink into his hat, but suddenly, the air around him hums with a forbidden power—the Song. Just as the crowd gasps, guards rush in, and Chester’s world flips upside down. Who is the mysterious figure that drags him into the dark, dangerous Hush, where music can kill and secrets lurk?
Quick Assessment
This young adult fantasy follows Chester, a boy on a desperate quest to find his missing father, who becomes entangled with a magical, illegal power called the Song. After being sentenced to death, he is rescued by a notorious gang leader and plunged into a shadowy world filled with danger and complex moral choices. Suitable for teens 13 and older, the book contains themes of rebellion, loyalty, and identity, with some scenes of peril and suspense.
Why we rated The hush 12IE
The hush is written at a Level 7 reading level across 378 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hush works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The hush as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The hush explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, and music — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient 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
- 9781510712485
- Pages
- 378
- Publisher
- Sky Pony
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction