Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii

Name: Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii
Author: Barbara Perez Marquez
ISBN: 9781669013181

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Mount Vesuvius Eruption Graphic Novel

by Barbara Perez Marquez

Girls Survive Graphic Novels

Reading Level 2-3 MP · Moderate · Physical Ages 9-12 Heads Up Page-Turner

The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, MP, means moderate content, mostly physical.

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About This Book

When Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupts, twelve-year-old Paulina and her friend Fabia race through Pompeii to stay safe and lend a hand to those in need. Their courageous journey reveals the strength of friendship and bravery during a natural disaster. Along the way, readers discover fascinating facts about the volcanic eruption that changed history.

Themes

Natural DisastersSurvival Friendship Historical

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 2-3 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include physical danger, survival. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii MP (Moderate)

Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 49 pages (approximately 1,781 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 3 and up can manage Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii takes about 12 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii as MP (Moderate, mostly physical) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical Danger, Survival.

Thematically, Paulina and the Disaster at Pompeii explores natural disasters, survival, friendship, and historical — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 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 natural disasters, survival, friendship.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

MP · Moderate · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Moderate ←

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

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.