What reading level is The other boy?

The other boy by M. G. Hennessey is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 560L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is The other boy appropriate for?

The other boy is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags: Bullying, LGBTQ+ Themes.

What genre is The other boy?

The other boy is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The other boy have any content warnings?

The other boy has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). Content flags include: Bullying, LGBTQ+ Themes. 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 other boy?

The other boy by M. G. Hennessey is 234 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The other boy

M. G. Hennessey

The other boy

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by M. G. Hennessey

Illustrated by Monster, Sfé R., illustrator

Reading Level 3 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Here's a secret: Shane loves baseball and drawing, just like any other kid. But there's something about him that only a few people know—and when that secret starts to slip out, everything changes. What will Shane do when his secret is about to be revealed? But that's only the beginning.

Themes

BullyingLGBTQ+ Representation Family Identity & Self-Discovery Friendship

Quick Assessment

This heartfelt story follows twelve-year-old Shane as he navigates the challenges of being a transgender boy facing bullying and the struggle for acceptance among his peers and family. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it addresses themes of identity, courage, and friendship with sensitivity and warmth. Parents should note the presence of bullying and discussions of gender identity, presented in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated The other boy 8ME

The other boy is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 560L across 234 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The other boy works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate The other boy as 8ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, LGBTQ+ Themes.

Thematically, The other boy explores bullying, lgbtq+ representation, family, identity & self-discovery, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about bullying, lgbtq+ representation, family.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.