Last Leaf
Mark Donnelly
Last Leaf
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mark Donnelly
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you could stop autumn from disappearing just by holding on tight? Oliver loves everything about fall, especially the colorful leaves, and when the wind tries to take them away, he comes up with a surprising plan to save them. But can one last golden leaf stay on the tree long enough to keep the magic alive?
Quick Assessment
This gentle and imaginative story follows Oliver as he tries to preserve the magic of autumn by taping fallen leaves back onto trees. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it celebrates themes of wonder, determination, and love for nature with warm humor and simple language. The book contains no concerning content and is ideal for children who enjoy stories about seasons and creativity.
Why we rated Last Leaf 7C
Last Leaf is written at a Level 2 reading level across 42 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Last Leaf works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Last Leaf as 7C ("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, Last Leaf explores friendship, family, humor, adventure, and science & nature — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Fall leaf project
Margaret McNamara
Fall leaf project
Margaret McNamara
Last Leaf Left
Lashone Caldwell
Last Leaf Left
Lashone Caldwell
The last leaf
O. Henry
The last leaf
O. Henry
Very Last Leaf
Stef Wade
Very Last Leaf
Stef Wade
Leaf Man
Lois Ehlert
Leaf Man
Lois Ehlert
Letting Go
T. C. Bartlett
Letting Go
T. C. Bartlett
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781956688597
- Pages
- 42
- Publisher
- Rock Paper Safety Scissors
- Published
- 2025
- Type
- Fiction