High on the Hog
Kimberly Olson Fahik
High on the Hog
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kimberly Olson Fahik
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Trapp never thought she'd spend a summer away from her family, especially on a quiet farm. But when she uncovers hidden stories from her great-grandparents, everything she believed about her roots starts to change— and that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Trapp, a girl who stays on her great-grandparents' farm for the summer while her family moves to New York City. Through discovering family secrets, she gains new perspectives that help her cope with big life changes. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the story gently explores themes of family, change, and self-discovery without intense content.
Why we rated High on the Hog 9LE
High on the Hog is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 180 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, High on the Hog works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate High on the Hog as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, High on the Hog explores family, coming of age, and animals — 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 family, coming of age, animals.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780440410812
- Pages
- 180
- Publisher
- Yearling
- Published
- June 1, 1996
- Type
- Fiction