The white tower
Constable, Cathryn
The white tower
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Constable, Cathryn
The text is written at a 6th 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 cold stone beneath Livy's fingers feels rough as she climbs higher and higher, the sharp scent of rain mixing with the wind's whispers. Above the towering angels on the roof, she dreams of soaring through the sky—free from the ground's pull. But as others watch her secret longing, Livy realizes that flying might come with dangers she never imagined.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Livy, a bright but unusual girl accepted into a prestigious school where she discovers a mysterious connection to flight. The story explores themes of belonging, secrecy, and self-discovery, with some suspenseful moments involving others who seek to control this extraordinary ability. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild tension but no graphic content.
Why we rated The white tower 11LE
The white tower is written at a Level 6 reading level across 257 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The white tower works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The white tower as 11LE ("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 white tower explores schools, juvenile fiction, flight, secrecy, and friendship — 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 schools, juvenile fiction, flight.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9781338157444
- Pages
- 257
- Publisher
- Chicken House
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction