What reading level is The mad mask?

The mad mask by Barry Lyga is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 810L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The mad mask appropriate for?

The mad mask is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is The mad mask?

The mad mask is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The mad mask have any content warnings?

The mad mask has a HootRating of 10LE (Light — 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 mad mask?

The mad mask by Barry Lyga is 242 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

The mad mask

Barry Lyga

The mad mask

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Barry Lyga

Reading Level 5-6 10LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

The buzzing of machinery fills the air, cold metal gleaming under the streetlights. Kyle, the Azure Avenger, faces a new challenge when the mysterious Mad Mask arrives with dazzling superpowers and a wild plan to build the ultimate robot, Ultitron. But can Kyle trust this stranger, or is he stepping into a trap that could change everything?

Themes

Science & Nature AdventureSuperheroesFantasy World-Building

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade science fiction adventure follows Kyle, an unintentional archvillain, as he navigates rivalries and new alliances in a town filled with superheroes and aliens. The story explores themes of identity, trust, and good versus evil, suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note mild fantasy violence and complex themes of morality and deception.

Why we rated The mad mask 10LE

The mad mask is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 810L across 242 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The mad mask works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate The mad mask as 10LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.

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

Thematically, The mad mask explores science & nature, adventure, superheroes, and fantasy world-building — 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 science & nature, adventure, superheroes.