What reading level is We hold these truths?

We hold these truths by Andrew Clements is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 920L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is We hold these truths appropriate for?

We hold these truths is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is We hold these truths?

We hold these truths is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does We hold these truths have any content warnings?

We hold these truths has a HootRating of 11LE (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 We hold these truths?

We hold these truths by Andrew Clements is 258 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

We hold these truths

Andrew Clements

We hold these truths

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Andrew Clements

Illustrated by Stower, Adam, illustrator

Reading Level 6-7 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th 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

Ben, Jill, and Robert sprint through the hallways, their hearts pounding as they race against time to stop the school from being demolished. They know the janitors, Lyman and Wally, are working against them, but this is their last shot to save their beloved school. Will their plan work, or is the school doomed?

Themes

School storiesDetective and mystery storiesFriendship Adventure

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade mystery follows three students determined to save their school from demolition by uncovering a secret plot involving the janitors. The story is appropriate for ages 9-12, featuring themes of friendship, perseverance, and problem-solving without intense content. It encourages readers to think critically about community and standing up for what they believe in.

Why we rated We hold these truths 11LE

We hold these truths is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 920L across 258 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, We hold these truths works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate We hold these truths as 11LE ("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, We hold these truths explores school stories, detective and mystery stories, friendship, and adventure — 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 school stories, detective and mystery stories, friendship.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.