What reading level is Tua and the elephant?

Tua and the elephant by R. P. Harris is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 790L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Tua and the elephant appropriate for?

Tua and the elephant is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LP (Light — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril, Animal Welfare.

What genre is Tua and the elephant?

Tua and the elephant is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Tua and the elephant have any content warnings?

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

How many pages is Tua and the elephant?

Tua and the elephant by R. P. Harris is 206 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Tua and the elephant

R. P. Harris

Tua and the elephant

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by R. P. Harris

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 you found a mighty elephant trapped and hurting, right in the heart of a bustling city? Imagine being the only one brave enough to set it free and guide it to safety. But can Tua outsmart those who want to keep the elephant chained forever?

Themes

AnimalsElephantsAnimal WelfareAdventure

Quick Assessment

Set in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this middle-grade novel follows nine-year-old Tua as she courageously frees an abused elephant and attempts to lead it to a sanctuary. The story highlights important themes of animal welfare and compassion, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note that the book includes mild tension related to animal abuse and a suspenseful rescue mission.

Why we rated Tua and the elephant 9LP

Tua and the elephant is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 790L across 206 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tua and the elephant works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Tua and the elephant 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, Animal Welfare.

Thematically, Tua and the elephant explores animals, elephants, animal welfare, and adventure — 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 animals, elephants, animal welfare.