What reading level is The Beast is an animal?

The Beast is an animal by Peternelle Van Arsdale is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 780L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is The Beast is an animal appropriate for?

The Beast is an animal is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9MT (Moderate — Thematic).

What genre is The Beast is an animal?

The Beast is an animal is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The Beast is an animal have any content warnings?

The Beast is an animal has a HootRating of 9MT (Moderate — Thematic). 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 The Beast is an animal?

The Beast is an animal by Peternelle Van Arsdale is 352 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

The Beast is an animal

Peternelle Van Arsdale

The Beast is an animal

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Peternelle Van Arsdale

Reading Level 4-5 9MT Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

This girl isn't just brave—she's got a secret power no one else has, and it might be the only thing standing between her village and total darkness. As shadows creep closer, every choice she makes could change everything. What happens when the fate of everyone rests on one hidden gift?

Themes

IndividualitySupernaturalParanormal fictionOrphansGood and evil

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows a young girl with a unique supernatural ability who must confront dark forces threatening her community. It explores themes of individuality, good versus evil, and belonging, with some paranormal elements appropriate for ages 9 to 12. The story offers a thoughtful approach to courage and identity without intense violence or frightening content.

Why we rated The Beast is an animal 9MT

The Beast is an animal is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 780L across 352 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Beast is an animal works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The Beast is an animal as 9MT ("Moderate — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

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

Thematically, The Beast is an animal explores individuality, supernatural, paranormal fiction, orphans, and good and evil — 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 individuality, supernatural, paranormal fiction.