Beryl

Name: Beryl
Author: Jane Simmons
ISBN: 9780316044103

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a pig's tale

by Jane Simmons

Reading Level 4-5 LE · Mild · Emotional Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

What if you were born with a pig nose and a curly tail, and no one seemed to love you for who you are? Imagine setting off on a daring adventure to find a family that accepts you just as you are. But the journey is full of surprises and challenges—will Beryl find a place to truly call home?

Themes

TolerationFamiliesAdventure FriendshipAnimals

Quick Assessment

Beryl is a middle-grade fiction book about a pig who embarks on a journey to find acceptance and belonging beyond her harsh upbringing. The story explores themes of tolerance, friendship, and self-acceptance with gentle humor and heartfelt moments. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a warm adventure that encourages empathy and understanding.

Why we rated Beryl LE (Mild)

Beryl is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 216 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Beryl on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Beryl as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Beryl explores toleration, families, adventure, friendship, and animals — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about toleration, families, adventure.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LE · Mild · Emotional

Emotional

Mild ←

Physical

Gentle

Social

Mild

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?