The unlikely story of a pig in the city
Jodi Kendall
The unlikely story of a pig in the city
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jodi Kendall
The text is written at a 7th 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
The soft, snuffling sounds of a tiny piglet fill the cramped city house, mixing with the buzz of busy streets outside. Josie feels a spark the moment she holds Hamlet, a pink piglet wrapped in an old football jersey. But in a house bursting at the seams, will there be space for a pig, or will this little piglet’s story end before it begins?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Josie, a middle-born child in a crowded city family, who finds an unexpected connection with a rescued piglet named Hamlet. The story explores themes of family dynamics, belonging, and empathy, with gentle humor and warmth suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the setting involves city life challenges and the responsibilities of caring for an unconventional pet.
Why we rated The unlikely story of a pig in the city 12LE
The unlikely story of a pig in the city is written at a Level 7 reading level across 326 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The unlikely story of a pig in the city works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The unlikely story of a pig in the city as 12LE ("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 unlikely story of a pig in the city explores family, animals, belonging, middle child experience, and friendship — 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 family, animals, belonging.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062484536
- Pages
- 326
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction