The bottle imp
Robert Louis Stevenson
The bottle imp
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Louis Stevenson
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if a tiny bottle could grant every wish you ever dreamed of? Imagine Keawe holding a magical bottle that brings him all he desires, but with a tricky catch — he must sell it before he dies, or face a terrible fate. Will he outsmart the magic and keep himself safe?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson introduces young readers to a magical story set in Hawaii, blending fantasy with cultural elements. It explores themes of desire, consequence, and cleverness suitable for early readers aged 5-8. Parents should note the story includes supernatural elements and mild tension related to the protagonist's challenge with the magic bottle.
Why we rated The bottle imp 8LE
The bottle imp is written at a Level 3 reading level across 60 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The bottle imp works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The bottle imp as 8LE ("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, The bottle imp explores magic, adventure, polynesia, and fantasy world-building — 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 magic, adventure, polynesia.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient 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
- 0395721016
- Pages
- 60
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction