What reading level is Olive and the big secret?

Olive and the big secret by Tor Freeman is at a Level 2-3 reading level (Lexile 420L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Olive and the big secret appropriate for?

Olive and the big secret is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 7LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Olive and the big secret?

Olive and the big secret is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Olive and the big secret have any content warnings?

Olive and the big secret has a HootRating of 7LE (Light — Emotional). 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 Olive and the big secret?

Olive and the big secret by Tor Freeman is 32 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Olive and the big secret

Tor Freeman

Olive and the big secret

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Tor Freeman

Reading Level 2-3 7LE Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

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.

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About This Book

The soft purr of a secret is like a whisper in the wind, tickling your ears and tempting your tongue. Olive feels it bubbling inside her, a secret too big to hold tight. But when whispers turn into shouts, will friendship stay strong or fall apart?

Themes

AnimalsFriendshipSecretsJuvenile fictionCats

Quick Assessment

This early reader explores the challenges of keeping and sharing secrets among young friends. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently illustrates the impact of honesty and trust in friendships without distressing content. The story encourages conversations about communication and empathy for early readers.

Why we rated Olive and the big secret 7LE

Olive and the big secret is written at a Level 2-3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 420L across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Olive and the big secret works for readers up to grade 4.5.

We rate Olive and the big secret as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Olive and the big secret explores animals, friendship, secrets, juvenile fiction, and cats — 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 animals, friendship, secrets.