What reading level is the Folger Library Shakespeare series?

Folger Library Shakespeare books are at a grades 6–9 reading level (average grade level 8), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 13+. There are 2 books in the series.

What order should I read the Folger Library Shakespeare books?

Series numbers aren't available for most Folger Library Shakespeare books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (1992); The history of Henry IV, part 1 (1994).

What age is the Folger Library Shakespeare series appropriate for?

HootRated recommends Folger Library Shakespeare for ages 13+. Content is moderate to intense (HootRated intensity 3–4 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

Folger Library Shakespeare Books in Order

Folger Library Shakespeare is a 2-book series by William Shakespeare for ages 13+, at a grades 6–9 reading level, with moderate to intense content (HootRated intensity 3–4 out of 5).

Books: 2; By publication date
Reading level: Grades 6–9; Average grade level 8
Recommended ages: Ages 13+; From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity: Moderate to intense; HootRated 3–4 out of 5 · avg 3.5

Folger Library Shakespeare Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Folger Library Shakespeare books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

#	Title	Reading Level	Ages	Content
1	The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet 1992	Level 6-7	13+	Intense
2	The history of Henry IV, part 1 1994	Level 9-10	16+	Moderate

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. Folger Library Shakespeare (2 books by William Shakespeare) lands at a grades 6–9 reading level, with average content intensity 3.5/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

All Folger Library Shakespeare Books

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Level 6-7

The history of Henry IV, part 1

William Shakespeare

The history of Henry IV, part 1

William Shakespeare

Level 9-10

Series Like Folger Library Shakespeare: What to Read Next

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the Folger Library Shakespeare series

What reading level is the Folger Library Shakespeare series?: Folger Library Shakespeare books are at a grades 6–9 reading level (average grade level 8), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 13+. There are 2 books in the series.
What order should I read the Folger Library Shakespeare books?: Series numbers aren't available for most Folger Library Shakespeare books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (1992); The history of Henry IV, part 1 (1994).
What age is the Folger Library Shakespeare series appropriate for?: HootRated recommends Folger Library Shakespeare for ages 13+. Content is moderate to intense (HootRated intensity 3–4 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.