Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The underdogs
Sara Hammel
The underdogs
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sara Hammel
The text is written at a 5th 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
The sharp scent of freshly cut grass fills the air as the country club buzzes with whispers and secrets. A quiet girl and her loyal dog nose around the mystery of a popular teen's sudden death. Every clue they uncover pulls them deeper into a world where nothing is as it seems.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a shy, overweight 12-year-old and her best friend as they investigate the mysterious death of a popular teenager at a country club. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and mystery, with some elements of crime and intrigue. Parents should note the presence of murder as a plot element, handled in a manner appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated The underdogs 10ME
The underdogs is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 840L across 310 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The underdogs works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate The underdogs as 10ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder.
Thematically, The underdogs explores friendship, mystery, overweight persons, dogs, and juvenile 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 friendship, mystery, overweight persons.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780374301613
- Pages
- 310
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 840L