What reading level is Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom)?

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) by Leigh Hobbs is at a Level 1-2 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) appropriate for?

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 6C (Clear).

What genre is Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom)?

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) have any content warnings?

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) has a HootRating of 6C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom)?

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) by Leigh Hobbs is 112 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom)

Leigh Hobbs

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Leigh Hobbs

Reading Level 1-2 6C Ages 5-8 Matched

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

Old Tom isn’t just any cat—he’s a space explorer aiming to become king of Mars! With dreams of endless feasts and new friends among the Martians, his wild adventure through the stars is full of surprises. But can a chubby cat handle all the bumps of space travel?

Themes

Adventure Humor Fantasy World-Building Friendship Family

Quick Assessment

This charming early reader book follows Old Tom, a mischievous cat who embarks on a humorous journey to Mars in search of freedom and fun. The story features lighthearted space adventure themes suitable for ages 5-8, with simple language ideal for emerging readers. Parents can expect playful humor and a focus on imagination without any intense content.

Why we rated Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) 6C

Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) works for readers up to grade 3.5.

We rate Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) 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, Old Tom Goes to Mars (Old Tom) explores adventure, humor, fantasy world-building, friendship, and family — 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 adventure, humor, fantasy world-building.