What reading level is Jo makes a friend?

Jo makes a friend by Susan Beth Pfeffer is at a Level 3-4 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Jo makes a friend appropriate for?

Jo makes a friend is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 8C (Clear). Content flags: Disability Representation.

What genre is Jo makes a friend?

Jo makes a friend is fiction. Part of the Portraits of Little Women series.

Does Jo makes a friend have any content warnings?

Jo makes a friend has a HootRating of 8C (Clear). Content flags include: Disability Representation. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Jo makes a friend?

Jo makes a friend by Susan Beth Pfeffer is 99 pages (approximately 13,675 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Jo makes a friend

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Jo makes a friend

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Portraits of Little Women

Reading Level 3-4 8C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 3rd 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

Jo is asked to reach out to a lonely girl who cannot see, hoping to brighten her days and build a meaningful friendship. As they spend time together, Jo discovers new ways to connect and understand the world around her. Their bond shows how kindness and empathy can bridge differences and create lasting companionship.

Themes

Friendship Family Disability Representation Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include disability representation. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Jo makes a friend 8C

Jo makes a friend is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 99 pages (approximately 13,675 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jo makes a friend works for readers up to grade 5.7.

Read aloud, Jo makes a friend runs about 1.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Jo makes a friend 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Disability Representation.

Thematically, Jo makes a friend explores friendship, family, disability representation, and coming of age — 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, disability representation.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 11 more books in the Portraits of Little Women series.