What reading level is The pants project?

The pants project by Cat Clarke is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 710L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The pants project appropriate for?

The pants project is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change.

Does The pants project have any content warnings?

The pants project has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags include: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change. 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 pants project?

The pants project by Cat Clarke is 267 pages (approximately 43,282 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

The pants project

Cat Clarke

The pants project

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Cat Clarke

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

Liv is determined to challenge the school rule that says girls must wear skirts, sparking a brave journey to be true to himself. Along the way, Liv discovers the strength to share his identity as a boy with his loving moms. This empowering story celebrates courage, family, and standing up for what feels right.

Challenged Book

About & Banning Context

Ages 9–13

In this heartfelt and humorous middle-grade novel, eleven-year-old Liv is determined to confront his school's restrictive dress code, which forces him to wear skirts instead of the pants he prefers. Liv identifies as transgender and feels strongly that he was meant to be a boy. As he embarks on his quest, dubbed the 'Pants Project,' he aims not only to alter the dress code but also to assert his identity and make a significant change in his life. Through Liv's journey, readers are encouraged to understand themes of self-acceptance and the importance of standing up for oneself in the face of adversity.

Key Themes

identity self-acceptance school policies courage transgender issues

Awards & Accolades (4)

● Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (2018)
● 2022 Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (2021)
● Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Awards Nominee (2020)
● Amelia Bloomer Project Nominee (2018)

Reviewed By

★ School Library Journal ★ Kirkus Reviews ★ Horn Book

Source: Unite Against Book Bans — The pants project

Themes

LGBTQ+ Representation Family Coming of Age Social JusticeSchool Life

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include identity & self-discovery, family change. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated The pants project 9LE

The pants project is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 710L across 267 pages (approximately 43,282 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The pants project works for readers up to grade 6.8.

Read aloud, The pants project runs about 4.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The pants project 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Identity & Self-Discovery, Family Change.

Thematically, The pants project explores lgbtq+ representation, family, coming of age, social justice, and school life — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

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.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, family, coming of age.