Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Promising the moon
Stephen Krensky
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
In 1830s New York, two young newsboys sell newspapers filled with exciting tales about amazing creatures and buildings spotted on the moon through a magical telescope. Their adventure sparks curiosity and wonder as they share these incredible stories with the city. This imaginative tale is inspired by a real event that captivated readers long ago.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated Promising the moon C (Gentle)
Promising the moon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 44 pages (approximately 1,690 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Promising the moon on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Promising the moon takes about 11 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Promising the moon as C (Gentle) 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, Promising the moon explores friendship, adventure, historical, and humor — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, historical.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading 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
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780761351108
- Pages
- 44
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Books
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 1,690
- Read-Aloud
- ~11 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy