What reading level is Toby and the secrets of the tree?

Toby and the secrets of the tree by Timothée de Fombelle is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 710L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Toby and the secrets of the tree appropriate for?

Toby and the secrets of the tree is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Toby and the secrets of the tree?

Toby and the secrets of the tree is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Toby and the secrets of the tree have any content warnings?

Toby and the secrets of the tree has a HootRating of 9LE (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 Toby and the secrets of the tree?

Toby and the secrets of the tree by Timothée de Fombelle is 414 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Toby and the secrets of the tree

Timothée de Fombelle

Toby and the secrets of the tree

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Timothée de Fombelle

Reading Level 4-5 9LE 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

Toby races through the twisting branches, heart pounding as shadows close in around him. His former best friend, now an enemy, plots to destroy everything Toby holds dear. Suddenly, a secret is whispered on the wind—will Toby save the Grass People before it's too late?

Themes

AdventureEcologyFriendshipAllegory

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy novel concludes Toby's adventurous journey as he leads a brave resistance to protect the miniature world of the Grass People from a former friend turned adversary. The story explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and ecological stewardship, suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of suspense and conflict but no graphic content.

Why we rated Toby and the secrets of the tree 9LE

Toby and the secrets of the tree is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 710L across 414 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Toby and the secrets of the tree works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Toby and the secrets of the tree as 9LE ("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, Toby and the secrets of the tree explores adventure, ecology, friendship, and allegory — 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 adventure, ecology, friendship.