What reading level is This is not a valentine?

This is not a valentine by Carter Higgins is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 580L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is This is not a valentine appropriate for?

This is not a valentine is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is This is not a valentine?

This is not a valentine is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does This is not a valentine have any content warnings?

This is not a valentine has a HootRating of 8LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is This is not a valentine?

This is not a valentine by Carter Higgins is 54 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

This is not a valentine

Carter Higgins

This is not a valentine

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

(Valentines Day Gift for Kids, Children's Holiday Books)

by Carter Higgins

Reading Level 3 8LE 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.

Buy on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Here's a secret: this isn't your usual valentine with hearts and lace. Instead, it's packed with lucky rocks, secret hideouts, and gumball treasures. But that's only the beginning of a story about caring in a way you might not expect.

Themes

Friendship FamilyInterpersonal RelationsJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This charming picture book explores the subtle, everyday moments of affection beyond traditional valentines. Suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it highlights themes of patience, friendship, and the quiet expressions of love in various relationships. The gentle narrative and whimsical illustrations make it a heartwarming choice for young children.

Why we rated This is not a valentine 8LE

This is not a valentine is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 580L across 54 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This is not a valentine works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate This is not a valentine as 8LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, This is not a valentine explores friendship, family, interpersonal relations, 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, interpersonal relations.