Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The secret prince
Violet Haberdasher
The secret prince
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Knightley Academy Book
by Violet Haberdasher
Knightley Academy
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
Henry Grim is eager to earn his knighthood at Knightley Academy, but when he uncovers a hidden room filled with ancient weapons, he and his friends are drawn into a secret society with a dangerous mission. As they navigate unexpected challenges and face mysterious threats, Henry must make difficult choices that could change his life forever. Adventure, friendship, and courage collide in this thrilling middle-grade tale.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated The secret prince LP (Mild)
The secret prince is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 503 pages (approximately 88,086 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The secret prince on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, The secret prince runs about 9.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The secret prince as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The secret prince explores knights and knighthood, friendship, adventure, schools, and orphans — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about knights and knighthood, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416991458
- Pages
- 503
- Publisher
- Aladdin
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 88,086
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 47m
- Text Density
- Standard