The forgotten puppy
Holly Webb
The forgotten puppy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Holly Webb
Illustrated by Williams, Sophy, illustrator
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
What would you do if your best friend suddenly disappeared? Rina, a playful Shiba Inu puppy, can’t stop worrying when Emi goes away for the school holidays without her. When Rina decides to find Emi on her own, will she make it to the railway station before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Emi and her Shiba Inu puppy, Rina, as they face the challenges of separation during a school holiday visit to Emi’s dad. The story explores themes of loyalty, courage, and the deep bond between children and their pets. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains gentle adventure and emotional moments without any intense content.
Why we rated The forgotten puppy 9LE
The forgotten puppy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The forgotten puppy works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The forgotten puppy as 9LE ("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 forgotten puppy explores animals, friendship, family, coming of age, and adventure — 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 animals, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781847155085
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Stripes Publishing
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction