Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The goat
Anne Fleming
The goat
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Anne Fleming
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. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what secrets hide inside an apartment building? Imagine moving to a new place filled with the quirkiest neighbors—a skateboarding writer, a room full of guinea pigs, and maybe even a goat on the roof. Who is this mysterious goat, and what adventures await?
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader explores the experience of moving to a new apartment in New York City, introducing children to themes of community and curiosity through a cast of eccentric neighbors. Suitable for ages 5-8, it offers gentle humor and lighthearted mystery without any content concerns. The story encourages young readers to embrace new environments and appreciate diverse characters.
Why we rated The goat C (Gentle)
The goat is written at a Level 3 reading level across 155 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage The goat on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate The goat as C (Gentle) 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, The goat explores neighbors, family, adventure, humor, and animal characters — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about neighbors, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781554989164
- Pages
- 155
- Publisher
- Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction