Mole and the New Hole
Jane Clarke
Mole and the New Hole
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jane Clarke
Collins Big Cat Phonics; Collins Big Cat
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
As winter approaches, Mole searches for a cozy new home but hopes to find a friend to share it with. Along the way, he meets other animals and discovers the true meaning of friendship and sharing. This gentle tale invites early readers to explore kindness and community in a warm woodland setting.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 1-2 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated Mole and the New Hole 6C
Mole and the New Hole is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 20 pages (approximately 276 words). Strong independent readers around grade 2.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mole and the New Hole works for readers up to grade 3.8.
Read aloud, Mole and the New Hole takes about 2 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Mole and the New Hole as 6C ("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, Mole and the New Hole explores friendship, family, nature, and sharing — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant 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
- 9781456988258
- Pages
- 20
- Publisher
- HarperCollins UK
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 276
- Read-Aloud
- ~2 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy