The only way I can

Name: The only way I can
Author: Bonnie Grubman
ISBN: 9781605373393

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Bonnie Grubman

Illustrated by Carolien Westermann

Reading Level 3 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Balanced Read

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.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

Crunch, crunch! The soft leaves crackle under tiny paws as a brave little rabbit hops through the forest. With every step, new friends and surprises await, showing that believing in yourself is the greatest adventure of all.

Themes

FriendshipEncouragementAnimalsJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This charming early reader follows a young rabbit on a journey of self-discovery and friendship, highlighting the importance of encouragement and personal strengths. Suitable for children ages 5-8, it offers gentle humor and positive messages without any challenging content.

Why we rated The only way I can C (Gentle)

The only way I can is written at a Level 3 reading level across 30 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage The only way I can on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate The only way I can 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 only way I can explores friendship, encouragement, animals, 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, encouragement, animals.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading 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.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?