The hula hoopin' queen
Thelma Lynne Godin
The hula hoopin' queen
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Thelma Lynne Godin
Illustrated by Brantley-Newton, Vanessa, illustrator
The text is written at a 1st 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
What if today was the day you could finally become the Hula-Hoopin' Queen of 139th Street? Kameeka is sure she can beat her rival, Jamara, but then a birthday party changes everything. Could Miz Adeline’s surprising secret bring the whole neighborhood together in a hula-hoop dance-off?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This lively story follows Kameeka, a young girl eager to win a hula-hooping contest, but she must balance her excitement with a special birthday celebration for a neighbor. The book celebrates community, fun, and responsibility, making it a great early reader for children ages 5 to 8. It offers positive themes about friendship and neighborhood spirit without any concerning content.
Why we rated The hula hoopin' queen 6C
The hula hoopin' queen is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 44 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hula hoopin' queen works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The hula hoopin' queen as 6C ("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, The hula hoopin' queen explores african americans, friendship, community, responsibility in children, and juvenile fiction — 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 african americans, friendship, community.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9781600608469
- Pages
- 44
- Publisher
- Lee & Low Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction