What reading level is The name of the blade?

The name of the blade by Zoë Marriott is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The name of the blade appropriate for?

The name of the blade is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is The name of the blade?

The name of the blade is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does The name of the blade have any content warnings?

The name of the blade has a HootRating of 9LE (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 name of the blade?

The name of the blade by Zoë Marriott is 358 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The name of the blade

Zoë Marriott

The name of the blade

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Zoë Marriott

Reading Level 4-5 9LE 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 mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

I have a secret: Mio’s family katana isn’t just a beautiful old sword—it holds a powerful magic that can awaken ancient gods and monsters! When Mio pulls it from the attic, she never imagines it will bring fierce warriors and terrifying creatures into the streets of London. But that’s only the beginning.

Themes

Japanese MythologyAdventure Friendship Fantasy World-Building Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy novel blends Japanese mythology with a modern setting, following a young girl who accidentally unleashes ancient powers while exploring her family’s heirloom katana. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, it contains themes of adventure, friendship, and mythical creatures, with mild peril and supernatural elements. Parents should note the story involves fantasy violence and some tension but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated The name of the blade 9LE

The name of the blade is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 358 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The name of the blade works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The name of the blade as 9LE ("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 name of the blade explores japanese mythology, 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about japanese mythology, adventure, friendship.