Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
High Tide in Hawaii
Mary Pope Osborne
High Tide in Hawaii
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mary Pope Osborne
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Jack and Annie's Magic Tree House can take them to a Hawaiian island from long ago, where the waves are perfect for surfing and adventures await at every turn. But when a giant tsunami threatens the island, their adventure takes a surprising twist—and that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book follows siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time to ancient Hawaii via their Magic Tree House. Along the way, children learn about surfing, island life, and natural events like tsunamis in an age-appropriate way. Suitable for ages 5-8, this story combines adventure with gentle lessons about nature and friendship.
Why we rated High Tide in Hawaii 8LE
High Tide in Hawaii is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 570L across 73 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, High Tide in Hawaii works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate High Tide in Hawaii as 8LE ("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 Tide in Hawaii explores time travel, magic, brothers and sisters, tree houses, and adventure — 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 time travel, magic, brothers and sisters.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439651837
- Pages
- 73
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 570L