What reading level is This journal belongs to Ratchet?

This journal belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 830L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is This journal belongs to Ratchet appropriate for?

This journal belongs to Ratchet is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is This journal belongs to Ratchet?

This journal belongs to Ratchet is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does This journal belongs to Ratchet have any content warnings?

This journal belongs to Ratchet has a HootRating of 10LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is This journal belongs to Ratchet?

This journal belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh is 307 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

This journal belongs to Ratchet

Nancy J. Cavanaugh

This journal belongs to Ratchet

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

Reading Level 5-6 10LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th 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

Rachel 'Ratchet' Vance is not your average kid — she's a mechanic's daughter, an environmentalist's sidekick, and a determined friend-maker all rolled into one. As she juggles saving a park and remembering her mom, she shows that being 'normal' is really about finding what makes you, you.

Themes

Home schoolingDiariesFathers and daughtersFriendship Family Coming of AgeEnvironmentalism

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows 11-year-old Rachel, nicknamed Ratchet, as she navigates homeschooling, environmental activism, and personal loss. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery without intense content. Parents can expect a warm, relatable story about a unique family dynamic and a child's journey toward understanding herself.

Why we rated This journal belongs to Ratchet 10LE

This journal belongs to Ratchet is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 830L across 307 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This journal belongs to Ratchet works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate This journal belongs to Ratchet as 10LE ("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, This journal belongs to Ratchet explores home schooling, diaries, fathers and daughters, friendship, and family — 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 home schooling, diaries, fathers and daughters.