Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The winged cat
Deborah Nourse Lattimore
The winged cat
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Tale of Ancient Egypt
by Deborah Nourse Lattimore
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
In ancient Egypt, a brave servant girl and a powerful High Priest race to unlock the twelve gates of the Netherworld by finding the right magic spells from the Book of the Dead. Their quest reveals secrets about the mysterious passing of the girl's beloved winged cat. This enchanting tale blends ancient magic and adventure in a world full of wonder.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated The winged cat 9LP
The winged cat is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 1,547 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The winged cat works for readers up to grade 6.3.
Read aloud, The winged cat takes about 10 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The winged cat as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The winged cat explores cats, magic, ancient egypt, adventure, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about cats, magic, ancient egypt.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant 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
- 0060236353
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 1,547
- Read-Aloud
- ~10 min
- Text Density
- Picture-Heavy