Hazy Bloom and the pet project
Jennifer Hamburg
Hazy Bloom and the pet project
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Hamburg
Illustrated by Harney, Jennifer, illustrator
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.
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About This Book
Hazel "Hazy" Bloom has a power that lets her glimpse tomorrow, but even she can’t predict the surprise that a new pet will bring! When school fundraisers and furry friends collide, everything gets hilariously unpredictable. It’s not just about pets—it’s about discovering how a little chaos can make life extraordinary.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Hazel Bloom, a girl with the unique ability to see glimpses of the future, as she navigates school life, fundraising events, and the unexpected arrival of a new pet. The story combines humor and relatable school experiences suitable for ages 9-12, with light themes around friendship, responsibility, and problem-solving. There is nothing intense or inappropriate, making it a fun and engaging read for this age group.
Why we rated Hazy Bloom and the pet project 9C
Hazy Bloom and the pet project is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 181 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hazy Bloom and the pet project works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Hazy Bloom and the pet project as 9C ("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, Hazy Bloom and the pet project explores schools, humor, pets, fundraising, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about schools, humor, pets.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780374304997
- Pages
- 181
- Publisher
- Farrar, Straus & Giroux (BYR)
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction