Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 11, 2026

The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life)

Martine Murray

The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life)

Name: The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life)
Author: Martine Murray
ISBN: 9780439486231

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Martine Murray

Reading Level 6 LE · Mild · Emotional Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

The sharp snap of the trapeze fills the air, mixing with the sweet smell of popcorn and the warm rush of the circus lights. Cedar’s heart races as she balances high above the ground, discovering new strengths she never knew she had. But beneath the thrill, she’s learning that family and friendship can be just as daring and unpredictable.

Themes

AcrobaticsFamily Friendship Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Cedar as she navigates the loss of her beloved dog, leading her to unexpected friendships and a passion for acrobatics. The story explores themes of family, community, and self-discovery in an accessible way for ages 9 to 12. It provides a warm, bittersweet look at growing up and the complexities that come with change.

Why we rated The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life) LE (Mild)

The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 233 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate The slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life) as LE (Mild, mostly 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 slightly true story of Cedar B. Hartley (who planned to live an unusual life) explores acrobatics, family, friendship, and coming of age — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about acrobatics, family, friendship.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LE · Mild · Emotional

Emotional

Mild ←

Physical

Mild

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?