To kill a queen
Valerie Wilding
To kill a queen
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
an Elizabethan girl's diary, 1583-1586
by Valerie Wilding
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
In a time of secret plots and royal danger, Kitty's father creates mysterious inventions to protect Queen Elizabeth. As supporters of Mary Queen of Scots move closer to power, Kitty must navigate a world filled with suspense and hidden threats. Will she help keep the queen safe or watch everything change forever?
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated To kill a queen 9LP
To kill a queen is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 180 pages (approximately 31,073 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, To kill a queen works for readers up to grade 6.6.
Read aloud, To kill a queen runs about 3.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate To kill a queen as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, To kill a queen explores history, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about history, adventure, family.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the My Story series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781443102438
- Pages
- 180
- Publisher
- Scholastic Canada
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 31,073
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 27m
- Text Density
- Standard