Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 10, 2026

Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader)

Jennifer Dussling

Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader)

Name: Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader)
Author: Jennifer Dussling
ISBN: 0448428776

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

It's Electrifying

by Jennifer Dussling

Illustrated by Lori Osiecki

All Aboard Reading: Station Stop 3; All Aboard Science Reader

Reading Level 3-4 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Balanced Read Page-Turner

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. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

Discover the amazing power of lightning and electricity as you explore how people long ago imagined lightning and how Benjamin Franklin uncovered its true secret. This lively story sparks curiosity about nature's electric wonders and science's exciting discoveries.

Themes

Science & Nature Historical

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 3-4 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) C (Gentle)

Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 48 pages (approximately 2,335 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) takes about 16 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) as C (Gentle) 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, Lightning: It's Electrifying (GB): It's Electrifying! (All Aboard Science Reader) weaves together science & nature and historical.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, historical.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?