The upas tree
Eva Hanagan
The upas tree
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Eva Hanagan
The text is written at a 4th 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
The crisp air carries the scent of pine and earth as Ishbel steps outside, feeling the cold bite of the Scottish Highlands on her skin. Her quiet life, bound by duty and shadowed by warnings, begins to shift like the restless wind. Something dark and mysterious stirs beneath the peaceful hills, and Ishbel must decide if she will face it—or let it consume her.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Ishbel Mackintosh, a reserved Scottish woman who, after her mother's death, finds herself free to explore life beyond her past restrictions. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the story touches on themes of personal growth, temptation, and dealing with betrayal. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild supernatural elements and explores emotional complexity in an accessible way.
Why we rated The upas tree 9LE
The upas tree is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The upas tree works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The upas tree as 9LE ("Light — 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 upas tree explores coming of age, family, mystery, and supernatural — 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 coming of age, family, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0312833970
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Press
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction