What reading level is The telling?

The telling by Alexandra Sirowy is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 780L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The telling appropriate for?

The telling is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is The telling?

The telling is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The telling have any content warnings?

The telling has a HootRating of 9ME (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 telling?

The telling by Alexandra Sirowy is 387 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The telling

Alexandra Sirowy

The telling

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Alexandra Sirowy

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Lana races through the shadowy streets, heart pounding as whispers of her brother’s chilling tales come to life in her town. Each new mystery pulls her deeper into danger, and just when she thinks she’s safe, a terrifying secret is about to be revealed.

Themes

GriefSelf-actualizationMurderBrothers and sistersFictionMystery

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade thriller follows Lana as she confronts a series of murders in her hometown that mirror the dark stories her late brother once told. The story explores themes of grief and self-discovery, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of murder-related content and suspenseful moments that contribute to a tense atmosphere.

Why we rated The telling 9ME

The telling is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 780L across 387 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The telling works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The telling as 9ME ("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, physical peril — 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 telling explores grief, self-actualization, murder, brothers and sisters, and fiction — 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 grief, self-actualization, murder.

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.