Best Friends
Steven Kellogg
Best Friends
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Steven Kellogg
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever felt left out when your best friend goes away? Kathy feels lonely and a little betrayed when her best friend spends the summer having fun without her. What will Kathy do when summer ends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle story explores themes of friendship and the feelings of loneliness that can arise when a close friend is away. Suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8, it helps children understand and process emotions related to separation and change in friendships. The book is age-appropriate with no concerning content.
Why we rated Best Friends 7LE
Best Friends is written at a Level 2 reading level across 1 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Best Friends works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Best Friends as 7LE ("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, Best Friends explores friendship, emotional growth, and early childhood — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, emotional growth, early childhood.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Best Friends (A Trumpet Club Special Edition)
Steven Kellogg
Best Friends (A Trumpet Club Special Edition)
Steven Kellogg
Best friends
Catherine Kenworthy
Best friends
Catherine Kenworthy
Best of Friends
Nicole Callaway
Best of Friends
Nicole Callaway
Best Friends
Sandi Hill
Best Friends
Sandi Hill
My Best Friend
Gabby Goldsack
My Best Friend
Gabby Goldsack
Best Friends Forever
Jessica Haney Perez
Best Friends Forever
Jessica Haney Perez
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780803708297
- Pages
- 1
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- May 7, 1990
- Type
- Fiction