Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Kodi (Book 1)
Jared Cullum
Kodi (Book 1)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jared Cullum
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. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
Kodi isn't just any bear—he's the biggest, kindest fishing expert you'll ever meet! When his best friend Katya has to leave, Kodi sets off on an epic adventure across wild lands to find her again. This story shows how powerful friendship can be, even when everything else tries to pull you apart.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This graphic novel tells the heartfelt story of Katya and her unlikely friendship with Kodi, a gentle yet enormous kodiak bear. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it combines themes of adventure, friendship, and resilience with engaging illustrations. Parents should note the story includes mild peril and emotional moments as the characters face separation and challenges during their journey.
Why we rated Kodi (Book 1) LE (Mild)
Kodi (Book 1) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 176 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Kodi (Book 1) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Kodi (Book 1) as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Kodi (Book 1) explores friendship, adventure, animals, and humor — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, animals.
- ✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Kodi (Book 1) carries an award.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781603094672
- Pages
- 176
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction