What reading level is Sharks and other predators?

Sharks and other predators by Mary Pope Osborne is at a Level 5-6 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Sharks and other predators appropriate for?

Sharks and other predators is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 10C (Clear).

What genre is Sharks and other predators?

Sharks and other predators is nonfiction — Predatory animals. Part of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series.

Does Sharks and other predators have any content warnings?

Sharks and other predators has a HootRating of 10C (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 Sharks and other predators?

Sharks and other predators by Mary Pope Osborne is 121 pages (approximately 6,412 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Sharks and other predators

Mary Pope Osborne

Sharks and other predators

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #53: Shadow of the Shark

by Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrated by Molinari, Carlo, illustrator

Magic Tree House Fact Tracker

Reading Level 5-6 10C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th 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

Dive into the exciting world of sharks and other fierce hunters of the sea! Filled with colorful pictures, this book brings young readers face-to-fin with nature’s most powerful predators. Discover what makes these creatures so amazing and important in our oceans.

Themes

Science & Nature Adventure

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.

Why we rated Sharks and other predators 10C

Sharks and other predators is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 121 pages (approximately 6,412 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sharks and other predators works for readers up to grade 7.1.

Read aloud, Sharks and other predators takes about 43 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Sharks and other predators as 10C ("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, Sharks and other predators weaves together science & nature and adventure.

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 science & nature, adventure.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 13 more books in the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.