What reading level is Tone deaf?

Tone deaf by Olivia Rivers is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 800L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Tone deaf appropriate for?

Tone deaf is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Emotional Abuse, Disability.

Does Tone deaf have any content warnings?

Tone deaf has a HootRating of 10IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Emotional Abuse, Disability. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Tone deaf?

Tone deaf by Olivia Rivers is 276 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Tone deaf

Olivia Rivers

Tone deaf

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Olivia Rivers

Reading Level 5-6 10IE Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The roar of the crowd fades into silence as Ali feels the vibrations of music beneath her fingertips. Once a musical prodigy, Ali now navigates a world without sound, where every note is felt instead of heard. But when a chance backstage with a famous band stirs old dreams, her heart races with hope and fear—can she find her way back to the music she loves?

Themes

MusiciansLoveMusicSelf-esteemDisability Representation

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores the journey of Ali, a teenage girl who loses her hearing due to a brain tumor and struggles with family challenges and self-esteem. Through her unexpected connection with a popular band and its lead singer, Ali embarks on a cross-country trip that helps her rediscover her passion for music and seek freedom from her difficult home life. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book sensitively addresses themes of disability, emotional abuse, and healing.

Why we rated Tone deaf 10IE

Tone deaf is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 800L across 276 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tone deaf works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Tone deaf as 10IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional Abuse, Disability.

Thematically, Tone deaf explores musicians, love, music, self-esteem, and disability representation — 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 musicians, love, music.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.