What reading level is Pigs might fly?

Pigs might fly by Nick Abadzis is at a Level 6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Pigs might fly appropriate for?

Pigs might fly is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 11LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Pigs might fly?

Pigs might fly is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Pigs might fly have any content warnings?

Pigs might fly has a HootRating of 11LE (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 Pigs might fly?

Pigs might fly by Nick Abadzis is 203 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Pigs might fly

Nick Abadzis

Pigs might fly

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Nick Abadzis

Illustrated by Dye, Jerel, illustrator

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

A Junior Library Guild selection

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

No one in Pigdom Plains believes pigs can really fly—except Lily Leanchops. She's determined to build a flying machine that works, using science and a little secret magic. But when the Warthogs arrive with their own magical aircraft, Lily has to take to the skies for real, and there’s no room for mistakes.

Themes

Adventure Fantasy World-BuildingInventorsMagicFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction follows Lily Leanchops, a young inventor pig determined to succeed where her father failed by building a working flying machine. Blending themes of science, magic, and adventure, the story introduces children ages 9-12 to ideas about perseverance and innovation while featuring light fantasy elements. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and magical conflicts in a whimsical setting.

Why we rated Pigs might fly 11LE

Pigs might fly is written at a Level 6 reading level across 203 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pigs might fly works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Pigs might fly as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, Pigs might fly explores adventure, fantasy world-building, inventors, magic, and friendship — 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, inventors.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Pigs might fly carries an award.