Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The voice on the radio
Caroline B. Cooney
The voice on the radio
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Caroline B. Cooney
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Reeve has a secret that’s too big for the quiet college radio station—he’s telling Janie’s story live on air! But what happens when the secret spills out and Janie hears everything? Sometimes, the biggest mysteries are the ones closest to home.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book blends mystery and emotional themes suitable for early readers around ages 5-8, focusing on family, friendship, and love. It follows Janie and Reeve as they navigate complex feelings after a traumatic event, with some suspense around secret revelations shared on a college radio broadcast. Parents should note the story contains emotional tension and themes of separation and loyalty but is appropriate for its intended young audience.
Why we rated The voice on the radio 8ME
The voice on the radio is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 660L across 183 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The voice on the radio works for readers up to grade 5.5.
We rate The voice on the radio as 8ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The voice on the radio explores friendship, family, brothers and sisters, parent and child, and mystery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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, family, brothers and sisters.
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
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780385742405
- Pages
- 183
- Publisher
- Ember
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 660L