Know
before
they read.
Every other service rates books on one axis — age. We rate on two: reading level and content intensity. So a 7-year-old reading at a 5th-grade level doesn't have to read 5th-grade themes.
Age is one number.
Kids are not one number.
A fifth-grade reader with a second-grader's heart. A kindergartener reading chapter books. Every family already knows: one axis isn't enough. We built the one that is.
A single rating
can't capture a book.
Two books rated "Grade 5 · Mild" are not the same book. One might have rich vocabulary and a gentle pace. The other: simple words, relentless tension. Book DNA shows you both.
What kids are reading
right now.
Every Wednesday, the New York Times publishes its children's bestseller lists. We layer our two-axis ratings on top — so you can see, at a glance, which titles match your reader before you spend.
Week of September 26, 2026
Toasty the goldfish isn’t just grumpy—he’s about to become a hero with magical powers! When a clever spider and some talkative plants join forces, they unlock incredible abilities to protect their family from a sneaky stranger with purple s
Auggie Pullman looks different from everyone else, but he's braver than you might think. He’s about to start middle school where kids stare and whisper, but Auggie’s kindness and courage shine brighter than any face. What happens when being
What if dinosaurs were hiding right under our noses, waiting to be caught? Imagine setting clever traps and using your smarts to find a real-life dinosaur before the school science fair begins! But can you outwit these prehistoric creatures
This tortoise is the best at saying goodbye—he turns every farewell into a silly, rhyming adventure! But why does he keep stopping to say goodbye to every single animal friend? Maybe he's not quite ready to start his big trip yet!
Greg Heffley throws a birthday party like no other—full of wild surprises and hilarious chaos. His plans might be epic, but will the party go off without a hitch? Sometimes, even the best-laid plans turn into unforgettable adventures.
What if you discovered that you were a wizard, living in a world full of magic, flying broomsticks, and dragons? Imagine leaving behind a lonely life to attend a school where every corner holds a new spell, a new friend, and a thrilling cha
Liz Buxbaum is not your average girl—she’s clever, funny, and ready to take on anything, even her nemesis-next-door. When Michael, the boy she secretly loves, comes back to town, Liz teams up with Wes in a wild plan to win his attention and
Autumn and Finn were once best friends, but now they barely speak. What if one moment could change everything between them? When they cross paths, it feels like a second chance—but will it come in time?
Start with a grade.
Refine by intensity.
For when you don't
know where to begin.
1001 Children's Books
Classics, picture books, and YA from the bestselling guide.
0 titlesThe Gifted Sweet Spot
Advanced reading level, gentle content. For readers ahead of their age.
0 titlesGentle Books, All Ages
No conflict beyond everyday life. Safe for the most sensitive readers.
0 titlesBest Nonfiction for Kids
Top nonfiction across grades. Science, history, biography, more.
0 titlesNotes from the
reading trenches.
When a Book Purchase Circles Back to a Classroom
HootRated is free for teachers, ad-free for kids, and funded by book purchases — a small share of which goes back to local public schools. Here's how the circle works, and why we built it this way.
Read the guide →How Teachers Can Get Families Reading at Home (Without the Guilt Trip)
The home reading environment is one of the biggest levers on a child's literacy — and the usual homework-style asks quietly work against it. Here's the evidence on what to ask families to do, and what to stop asking.
Read the guide →How to Get a Whole Class Reading: The Evidence-Based Playbook
Points, prizes, and reading logs feel productive and quietly kill the thing they're meant to grow. Here's what the research actually shows about motivating a classroom of readers — and how to build a book collection that fits every kid.
Read the guide →After they read,
let them listen.
HootPODS turns any topic, article, or interest into a personalized audio story — narrated in engaging voices, screen-free, made just for your kid.
The right book.
The right time.
Search 225,341 books rated on both axes — or tell us about your reader and we'll make the first picks for you.