What reading level is Tiger boy?

Tiger boy by Mitali Perkins is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 770L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Tiger boy appropriate for?

Tiger boy is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril.

What genre is Tiger boy?

Tiger boy is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Tiger boy have any content warnings?

Tiger boy has a HootRating of 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags include: Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Tiger boy?

Tiger boy by Mitali Perkins is 140 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Tiger boy

Mitali Perkins

Tiger boy

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Mitali Perkins

Illustrated by Hogan, Jamie, illustrator

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

What if a tiger cub suddenly slips away from the safety of its home? On a small island near the Sunderbans, Neel and his sister Rupa race against time to find the lost cub before danger finds her—or before a greedy stranger does. Can they save the tiger and protect their home, or will everything change forever?

Themes

Wildlife RescueFamily Adventure Coming of AgeEnvironmental Awareness

Quick Assessment

Tiger Boy follows Neel and Rupa as they try to rescue a tiger cub that has escaped from a nature reserve near their island village in the Sunderbans. This middle-grade novel explores themes of wildlife conservation, family bonds, and personal growth, while also touching on environmental challenges and local culture. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes mild peril but is appropriate for young readers interested in animals and adventure.

Why we rated Tiger boy 9LP

Tiger boy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 770L across 140 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tiger boy works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Tiger boy 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.

Thematically, Tiger boy explores wildlife rescue, family, adventure, coming of age, and environmental awareness — 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 wildlife rescue, family, adventure.