What reading level is Hodgeheg?

Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith is at a Level 3 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Hodgeheg appropriate for?

Hodgeheg is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8C (Clear).

What genre is Hodgeheg?

Hodgeheg is fiction — Children's stories.

Does Hodgeheg have any content warnings?

Hodgeheg has a HootRating of 8C (Clear). 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 Hodgeheg?

Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith is 82 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Hodgeheg

Dick King-Smith

Hodgeheg

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dick King-Smith

Reading Level 3 8C 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

Here's a secret: Max isn't just any hedgehog—he's a hodgeheg with a special plan. While his family dreams of the big Park, Max is about to face the busiest road ever known to hedgehogs. But that's only the beginning.

Themes

Children's fictionAdventureAnimalsProblem SolvingTraffic Safety

Quick Assessment

This charming children's book follows Max, a clever hedgehog determined to find a safe way across a busy road to reach the Park. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it introduces themes of problem-solving and traffic safety in an engaging and accessible way. The story is lighthearted with gentle lessons about courage and perseverance.

Why we rated Hodgeheg 8C

Hodgeheg is written at a Level 3 reading level across 82 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hodgeheg works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate Hodgeheg as 8C ("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, Hodgeheg explores children's fiction, adventure, animals, problem solving, and traffic safety — 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 children's fiction, adventure, animals.