Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The secret of the stone frog
David Nytra
The secret of the stone frog
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Toon Graphic Novel
by David Nytra
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
The crisp rustle of leaves underfoot and the sweet scent of wildflowers fill the air as Leah and Alan find themselves in a magical forest. Around them, lions with fancy manes and rabbits as tall as trees roam freely. A mysterious stone frog croaks softly, ready to lead them on an unforgettable adventure that will bring them closer than ever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Siblings Leah and Alan land in an enchanted forest full of foppish lions, giant rabbits, and a talking stone frog guide, and must learn to face danger while finding their own independence. Expect mild peril and light fantasy-style tension as they navigate unfamiliar creatures, but the tone stays gentle and centers on sibling teamwork and growing up. It is a graphic-novel fantasy with imaginative art that most families will find easy to share.
Why we rated The secret of the stone frog C (Gentle)
The secret of the stone frog is written at a Level 2-3 reading level across 31 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 4 and up can manage The secret of the stone frog on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate The secret of the stone frog 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 secret of the stone frog explores fantasy, graphic novels, brothers and sisters, and fiction — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy, graphic novels, brothers and sisters.
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
- 9781935179184
- Pages
- 31
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction