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. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
We may earn a commission from these links.
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 LP (Mild)
The winged cat is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 32 pages (approximately 1,547 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage The winged cat on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, The winged cat takes about 10 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate The winged cat as LP (Mild, mostly 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
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading 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
Light 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
If your child liked this book, they might like these
Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
Catwings
Ursula K. Le Guin
Catwings
Ursula K. Le Guin
Cats in the castle
Lucy Daniels
Cats in the castle
Lucy Daniels
Never trust a cat who wears earrings
Dan Greenburg
Never trust a cat who wears earrings
Dan Greenburg
Fading echoes
Erin Hunter
Fading echoes
Erin Hunter
Moth Flight's Vision
Erin Hunter
Moth Flight's Vision
Erin Hunter
The boy who drew cats
Margaret Hodges
The boy who drew cats
Margaret Hodges
The palace of glass
Django Wexler
The palace of glass
Django Wexler
Horus and the curse of everlasting regret
Hannah Voskuil
Horus and the curse of everlasting regret
Hannah Voskuil
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