Bolivar

Name: Bolivar
Author: Sean Rubin
ISBN: 9781684150694

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Sean Rubin

Reading Level 3 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

A Junior Library Guild selection, February

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

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About This Book

What if a real dinosaur was living quietly right next door in New York City? Imagine Bolivar, a gentle giant trying to stay hidden while Sybil, the curious girl next door, is determined to prove he's real. But what happens when secrets start to unravel in the bustling city?

Themes

DinosaursFictionCartoons and comicsFriendship Adventure

Quick Assessment

Bolivar is a charming early reader book about a dinosaur living secretly in New York City and a young girl's efforts to prove his existence. Suitable for ages 5-8, it combines fiction with fun dinosaur themes and engaging comic-style illustrations. The story is light-hearted and perfect for young children beginning to read independently.

Why we rated Bolivar C (Gentle)

Bolivar is written at a Level 3 reading level across 230 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage Bolivar on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Bolivar as C (Gentle) because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Bolivar explores dinosaurs, fiction, cartoons and comics, friendship, and adventure — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about dinosaurs, fiction, cartoons and comics.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Bolivar carries an award.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

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

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: high

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