What reading level is Cat by the tail?

Cat by the tail by Sarah J. Verney is at a Level 3-4 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Cat by the tail appropriate for?

Cat by the tail is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8C (Clear).

What genre is Cat by the tail?

Cat by the tail is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Archway) series.

Does Cat by the tail have any content warnings?

Cat by the tail has a HootRating of 8C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Cat by the tail?

Cat by the tail by Sarah J. Verney is 83 pages (approximately 9,387 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Cat by the tail

Sarah J. Verney

Cat by the tail

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Sarah J. Verney

Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Archway)

Reading Level 3-4 8C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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.

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About This Book

Salem, a proud cat, is upset when Hilda brings home a tiny kitten who steals all the attention. Feeling jealous and overlooked, Salem must learn what it means to share love and friendship with the new furry family member. This charming tale shows how even the grumpiest cats can warm up to surprises.

Themes

Family Friendship HumorAnimalsWitches

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated Cat by the tail 8C

Cat by the tail is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 83 pages (approximately 9,387 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cat by the tail works for readers up to grade 5.1.

Read aloud, Cat by the tail runs about 1.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Cat by the tail as 8C ("Clear") 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, Cat by the tail explores family, friendship, humor, animals, and witches — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, humor.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Archway) series.