Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Daisy Dawson on the Farm
Steve Voake
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 gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: the farm animals are in a big fuss because their pond has dried up, and the pigs and chickens can't stop arguing. Daisy Dawson and her friends, including a clever cat named Trixie, are about to try something amazing to bring the rain back—but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Daisy Dawson on the Farm is a middle-grade fantasy about a girl who can talk to animals and helps solve problems on a farm during a hot summer. The story highlights themes of friendship, empathy, and teamwork as the characters work together to save their home. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains gentle conflict and animal interactions without any intense content.
Why we rated Daisy Dawson on the Farm C (Gentle)
Daisy Dawson on the Farm is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 96 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Daisy Dawson on the Farm on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Daisy Dawson on the Farm 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, Daisy Dawson on the Farm explores fantasy & magic, animals, friendship, and adventure — 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 fantasy & magic, animals, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading 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.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
If your child liked this book, they might like these
Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
The trouble with chickens
Doreen Cronin
The trouble with chickens
Doreen Cronin
Drizzle
Kathleen Van Cleve
Drizzle
Kathleen Van Cleve
Daisy Dawson at the beach
Steve Voake
Daisy Dawson at the beach
Steve Voake
The ark, the reed, and the fire cloud
Jenny L. Cote
The ark, the reed, and the fire cloud
Jenny L. Cote
Escape from Baxter's barn
Rebecca Bond
Escape from Baxter's barn
Rebecca Bond
The wonderful farm
Marcel Aymé
The wonderful farm
Marcel Aymé
The Big Question
John R. Erickson
The Big Question
John R. Erickson
Daisy and the Beastie
Jane Simmons
Daisy and the Beastie
Jane Simmons
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763658823
- Pages
- 96
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- Jun 12, 2012
- Type
- Fiction