Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The thief and the sword
Mike Maihack
The thief and the sword
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mike Maihack
Cleopatra in Space
The text is written at a 3rd 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
Cleo and her friends set out on an exciting adventure to Hykosis, a city filled with daring thieves and secretive assassins. Together, they seek powerful time tablets that might change Cleo's destiny forever. Along the way, they face challenges that test their courage and friendship.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The thief and the sword 8LP
The thief and the sword is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 410L across 187 pages (approximately 4,984 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The thief and the sword works for readers up to grade 5.3.
Read aloud, The thief and the sword takes about 33 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The thief and the sword as 8LP ("Light — 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.
Thematically, The thief and the sword explores adventure, friendship, and fantasy world-building — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545528450
- Pages
- 187
- Publisher
- Graphix
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 4,984
- Lexile
- 410L
- Read-Aloud
- ~33 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy