What reading level is The radius of us?

The radius of us by Marie Marquardt is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 710L). Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What age is The radius of us appropriate for?

The radius of us is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 9MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags: Emotional: Trauma, Physical/Safety: Violence, Social: Immigration, Social: Gang Violence, Romantic Content.

What genre is The radius of us?

The radius of us is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

How many pages is The radius of us?

The radius of us by Marie Marquardt is 295 pages (approximately 82,606 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

The radius of us

Marie Marquardt

The radius of us

Q: Does The radius of us have any content warnings?

The radius of us has a HootRating of 9MP (Moderate — Physical). Content flags include: Emotional: Trauma, Physical/Safety: Violence, Social: Immigration, Social: Gang Violence, Romantic Content. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Marie Marquardt

Reading Level 4-5 9MP Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Two teenagers, each haunted by their own painful experiences, find strength and comfort as their lives intertwine. Together, they navigate the challenges of their past and the dangers of their world, forging a bond that helps them heal and grow. Their journey reveals the power of friendship and love amidst hardship and uncertainty.

Themes

Romance Coming of AgeTrauma RecoveryImmigrationFriendship

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include emotional: trauma, physical/safety: violence, social: immigration. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated The radius of us 9MP

The radius of us is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 710L across 295 pages (approximately 82,606 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The radius of us works for readers up to grade 6.7.

Read aloud, The radius of us runs about 9.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The radius of us as 9MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Trauma, Physical/Safety: Violence, Social: Immigration, Social: Gang Violence, Romantic Content.

Thematically, The radius of us explores romance, coming of age, trauma recovery, immigration, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about romance, coming of age, trauma recovery.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.