What reading level is The relic hunters?

The relic hunters by Derek Benz is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 720L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The relic hunters appropriate for?

The relic hunters is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

Does The relic hunters have any content warnings?

The relic hunters 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 relic hunters?

The relic hunters by Derek Benz is 349 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The relic hunters

Derek Benz

The relic hunters

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Derek Benz

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

The clank of clockwork gears fills the air, mixed with whispers of hidden magic and the hum of secret machines. Beyond the walls of Iron Bridge Academy, fairies flutter and robots whir in a world where adventure waits at every turn. But when old enemies return, can four friends hold on to their bond before everything falls apart?

Themes

MagicAdventure and adventurersFriendship Fantasy World-Building

Quick Assessment

The Relic Hunters follows a group of middle-grade friends navigating a magical academy filled with supernatural creatures and advanced inventions. As they face challenges that test their friendship, they must unite to confront a returning villain. Suitable for ages 9-12, this fantasy adventure explores themes of friendship, conflict resolution, and teamwork with mild peril.

Why we rated The relic hunters 9LE

The relic hunters is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 720L across 349 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The relic hunters works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The relic hunters 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 relic hunters explores magic, adventure and adventurers, friendship, 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 magic, adventure and adventurers, friendship.