Ivy and the Goblins
Katherine Coville
Ivy and the Goblins
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Katherine Coville
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
A sharp, high-pitched shriek cuts through the quiet farmhouse, making Ivy's skin tingle with surprise. The tiny goblin egg has hatched into a wild, mischievous baby who won’t stop causing trouble. Now, Ivy must face the shadows of the dark forest to return the goblin to its family, but what secrets will she uncover along the way?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows Ivy as she cares for a troublesome baby goblin brought to her home. When the mischief becomes too much, she ventures into a mysterious forest to reunite the goblin with its family. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently explores themes of responsibility, courage, and empathy without intense content.
Why we rated Ivy and the Goblins 9C
Ivy and the Goblins is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ivy and the Goblins works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Ivy and the Goblins 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, Ivy and the Goblins explores fantasy world-building, adventure, family, and human-animal relationships — 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
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
- 9780553539806
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Random House Children's Books
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction