What reading level is Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop?

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop by N. Griffin is at a Level 3-4 reading level (Lexile 600L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What genre is Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop?

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop have any content warnings?

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop has a HootRating of 8C (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 Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop?

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop by N. Griffin is 297 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop

N. Griffin

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop

Q: What age is Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop appropriate for?

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8C (Clear).

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by N. Griffin

Illustrated by Hindley, Kate, illustrator

Reading Level 3-4 8C Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 3rd 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 sticky, sweet smell of Herr Goop fills the air as Smashie and Dontel scramble to solve the mystery. The goop isn’t just any gel—it shapes hair into musical notes and roller skates! But when the jars disappear, the whole talent show feels like it might fall apart, and Smashie’s heart races with a mix of excitement and worry.

Themes

Friendship MysteryElementary SchoolsTalent Shows

Quick Assessment

This lighthearted mystery follows third-grader Smashie McPerter and her friend Dontel as they work together to find the missing hair gel essential for their class talent show. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, the story emphasizes problem-solving, friendship, and teamwork while incorporating fun elements like secret codes and school performances. The book contains no concerning content and offers an engaging way to build reading skills.

Why we rated Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop 8C

Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 600L across 297 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop works for readers up to grade 5.5.

We rate Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop as 8C ("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, Smashie McPerter and the mystery of the missing goop explores friendship, mystery, elementary schools, and talent shows — 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 friendship, mystery, elementary schools.