The secret keeper
Elizabeth Carroll
The secret keeper
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elizabeth Carroll
The text is written at a 6th 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
Wil Johnson isn’t just any kid—he’s the only one who can see Cassia, a magical being from the clouds. His belief in magic comes from a place of deep sadness, but meeting Cassia might change everything. What secrets does she hold, and how will they help Wil heal?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Wil, a grieving boy who encounters Cassia, a mystical cloud-being visible only to him. The story explores themes of loss, friendship, and healing through a blend of realistic emotion and gentle fantasy, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book handles grief sensitively without graphic content.
Why we rated The secret keeper 11LE
The secret keeper is written at a Level 6 reading level across 203 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The secret keeper works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The secret keeper as 11LE ("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 secret keeper explores friendship, coming of age, fantasy world-building, and family — 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 friendship, coming of age, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781604942453
- Pages
- 203
- Publisher
- Wheatmark, Inc.
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction