What reading level is Beth makes a friend?

Beth makes a friend by Susan Beth Pfeffer is at a Level 4 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Beth makes a friend appropriate for?

Beth makes a friend is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LS (Light — Social). Content flags: Stealing, Poverty.

What genre is Beth makes a friend?

Beth makes a friend is fiction — Great-aunts. Part of the Portraits of Little Women series.

Does Beth makes a friend have any content warnings?

Beth makes a friend has a HootRating of 9LS (Light — Social). Content flags include: Stealing, Poverty. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Beth makes a friend?

Beth makes a friend by Susan Beth Pfeffer is 97 pages (approximately 12,911 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Beth makes a friend

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Beth makes a friend

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Portraits of Little Women

Reading Level 4 9LS Ages 9-12 Matched Page-Turner

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.

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About This Book

Beth wants to make a difference for a struggling Irish immigrant family, so she takes a daring step by borrowing a precious silver bowl from her great aunt. Her brave choice sets off a chain of events that test her courage and kindness. Join Beth as she learns about friendship, sacrifice, and standing up for what feels right.

Themes

Friendship FamilyImmigrationSocial Justice

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include stealing, poverty. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Beth makes a friend 9LS

Beth makes a friend is written at a Level 4 reading level across 97 pages (approximately 12,911 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Beth makes a friend works for readers up to grade 6.0.

Read aloud, Beth makes a friend runs about 1.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Beth makes a friend as 9LS ("Light — Social") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Stealing, Poverty.

Thematically, Beth makes a friend explores friendship, family, immigration, and social justice — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, immigration.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 11 more books in the Portraits of Little Women series.