The Keepers of the Keys
Kathryn Lasky
The Keepers of the Keys
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathryn Lasky
Bears of the Ice
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Join brave young bears as they embark on a daring adventure in the icy wilderness, facing challenges that test their courage and friendship. Secrets unfold and new allies appear as they protect their home from looming threats. Excitement and mystery fill every page of this captivating tale.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The Keepers of the Keys 10LP
The Keepers of the Keys is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 288 pages (approximately 60,571 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Keepers of the Keys works for readers up to grade 7.3.
Read aloud, The Keepers of the Keys runs about 6.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Keepers of the Keys as 10LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The Keepers of the Keys explores adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545836890
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- May 14, 2019
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 60,571
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 44m
- Text Density
- Standard