Mr. Maxwell's mouse
Frank Asch
Mr. Maxwell's mouse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frank Asch
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
Mr. Maxwell is the only cat who got outsmarted by a mouse—and it landed him in the hospital! But this isn’t just any mouse; it’s a clever little trickster who turns the tables in the funniest way. Discover why even the smartest cats have to be careful who they trust!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader features Mr. Maxwell, a proud cat who learns an important lesson about cleverness and humility after being tricked by a mouse. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story incorporates themes of problem-solving and friendship with gentle humor and no intense content, making it a safe and engaging read for young children.
Why we rated Mr. Maxwell's mouse 7C
Mr. Maxwell's mouse is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mr. Maxwell's mouse works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Mr. Maxwell's mouse 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, Mr. Maxwell's mouse explores friendship, problem solving, humor, and animal characters — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, problem solving, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
2/10A 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
Max Versus the Cube
Hanne Turk
Max Versus the Cube
Hanne Turk
The Mouse, the Computer, and the Mouse
Michael, M.D. Fiore
The Mouse, the Computer, and the Mouse
Michael, M.D. Fiore
Marvelous Maxwell Visits the Vet
Kimberly Volz
Marvelous Maxwell Visits the Vet
Kimberly Volz
Max the dragon
Peter Stern
Max the dragon
Peter Stern
There Was a Mouse
Patricia Blanchrad
There Was a Mouse
Patricia Blanchrad
Max, the bad-talking parrot
Patricia Demuth
Max, the bad-talking parrot
Patricia Demuth
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781553374862
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Kids Can Press Ltd
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction