What reading level is The rise and fall of the Gallivanters?

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters by Mary Jane Beaufrand is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 680L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is The rise and fall of the Gallivanters appropriate for?

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is The rise and fall of the Gallivanters?

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does The rise and fall of the Gallivanters have any content warnings?

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — 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 rise and fall of the Gallivanters?

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters by Mary Jane Beaufrand is 279 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters

Mary Jane Beaufrand

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a novel

by Mary Jane Beaufrand

Reading Level 3-4 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

The sharp clang of guitar strings fills the air, mixing with the sharp scent of hops from the old brewery. Noah and his band, the Gallivanters, tune up nervously, ready to face the crowd and the mystery that lingers in the shadows. But as Evan’s cough grows worse, the music carries a heavy secret that only they can face together.

Themes

FamilyMusicFriendshipFamily CrisesJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

Set in 1983, this early reader fiction explores themes of friendship, family challenges, and resilience through the story of a young band preparing for a battle of the bands. The narrative sensitively touches on illness and family abuse, making it suitable for readers aged 5-8 with guidance. Parents should note the presence of family crises and mild emotional tension related to illness and past trauma.

Why we rated The rise and fall of the Gallivanters 8ME

The rise and fall of the Gallivanters is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 680L across 279 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The rise and fall of the Gallivanters works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate The rise and fall of the Gallivanters 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, The rise and fall of the Gallivanters explores family, music, friendship, family crises, and juvenile fiction — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, music, friendship.

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.