What reading level is Through the lock?

Through the lock by Carol Otis Hurst is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Through the lock appropriate for?

Through the lock is recommended for Ages 9-12. Content intensity: "Mild" (2/5). Content flags: Mild Peril.

What genre is Through the lock?

Through the lock is fiction — Canals.

Does Through the lock have any content warnings?

Through the lock has a content intensity rating of "Mild" (2/5). Content flags include: Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated for emotional, physical, and social content themes to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Through the lock?

Through the lock by Carol Otis Hurst is 160 pages.

Through the lock

Carol Otis Hurst

Through the lock

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Carol Otis Hurst

Reading Level 4-5 Mild (Lvl 2) Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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 sharp bite of winter air mixes with the creak of wooden beams in a hidden cabin by the cold canal. Etta’s heart races as she discovers this secret place—a shelter for her and her siblings. But when Walter appears, guarding his own escape, will they find a way to share warmth and hope before the frost takes hold?

Themes

OrphansFamily Survival Friendship Adventure

Quick Assessment

Through the Lock tells the story of eleven-year-old orphan Etta Prentice, who seeks a safe home for her and her siblings along a newly completed canal. When she discovers an abandoned cabin already inhabited by twelve-year-old Walter, the two must cooperate to survive a harsh winter while keeping their refuge secret. Suitable for middle-grade readers, this novel explores themes of family, resilience, and friendship with no mature content concerns.