Treason
Berlie Doherty
Treason
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Berlie Doherty
The text is written at a 6th 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
Will Gaveston is not just any page boy—he's the son of a man accused of treason against King Henry VIII. As danger closes in, Will must hide in London's shadowy streets, where friendship and courage become his only shields. But can two boys outwit prison and death to save a life that hangs by a thread?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in Tudor England, this middle-grade novel follows Will Gaveston, whose father is imprisoned for treason. Will and his new friend Nick navigate perilous streets and face imprisonment as they seek justice. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book explores themes of loyalty, courage, and historical injustice in an accessible way without graphic content.
Why we rated Treason 11ME
Treason is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Treason works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Treason as 11ME ("Moderate — 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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Treason explores friendship, family, adventure, historical, and judicial error — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, adventure.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781849391214
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction