What reading level is Dory and the real true friend?

Dory and the real true friend by Abby Hanlon is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 610L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Dory and the real true friend appropriate for?

Dory and the real true friend is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Dory and the real true friend?

Dory and the real true friend is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Dory and the real true friend have any content warnings?

Dory and the real true friend has a HootRating of 8LE (Light — Emotional). 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 Dory and the real true friend?

Dory and the real true friend by Abby Hanlon is 152 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Dory and the real true friend

Abby Hanlon

Dory and the real true friend

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Abby Hanlon

Reading Level 3-4 8LE Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

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

The scratchy sound of pencil sketches fills the page as Dory skips into her new school, her wild imagination buzzing louder than ever. She’s got a secret: her imaginary friend Mary, who her siblings say should stay at home. But when Dory meets a real friend who’s just as wild and wonderful, suddenly everything feels possible—and a little bit magical.

Themes

FamiliesBrothers and sistersImaginary companionsFriendshipJuvenile fictionImaginary playmates

Quick Assessment

This early chapter book follows Dory, an imaginative young girl starting school, as she navigates sibling teasing and makes a new friend who shares her playful spirit. The story emphasizes creativity, friendship, and family dynamics suitable for readers aged 5 to 8. With light humor and relatable childhood experiences, it supports early reading skills without any concerning content.

Why we rated Dory and the real true friend 8LE

Dory and the real true friend is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 610L across 152 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dory and the real true friend works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate Dory and the real true friend as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Dory and the real true friend explores families, brothers and sisters, imaginary companions, friendship, and juvenile fiction — 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 families, brothers and sisters, imaginary companions.