What is hidden
Lauren Skidmore
What is hidden
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lauren Skidmore
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
Evie is the only mask-maker in all of Venesia, a place where everyone hides their true face. But when a daring bandit called Chameleon destroys her world and marks her forever, Evie becomes more than just a maker of masks—she becomes a symbol of courage and mystery that could change the kingdom. What secrets lie beneath her new face, and why does everyone want to find out?
Quick Assessment
Set in the fictional island nation of Venesia, this middle-grade novel explores themes of identity, loss, and revenge through the story of Evie, a mask-maker whose life is upended by a violent bandit. Appropriate for readers ages 9-12, the book includes elements of fantasy and romance with mild peril and emotional challenges. Parents should note the presence of violence related to the bandit's actions and themes of personal transformation.
Why we rated What is hidden 11ME
What is hidden is written at a Level 6 reading level across 281 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What is hidden works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate What is hidden 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 — 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, What is hidden explores romance, adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, 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.
- ✓ 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 romance, adventure, fantasy world-building.
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
- 9781462114290
- Pages
- 281
- Publisher
- Sweetwater Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction