Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Ultimate field trip 3
Susan E. Goodman
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.
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About This Book
A group of curious students from Boston explore the vibrant world of tide pools at Cobscook Bay in Maine. They discover fascinating marine creatures and learn how these unique ecosystems thrive with the changing tides. Their field trip brings science to life through hands-on experiences by the shore.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Ultimate field trip 3 C (Gentle)
Ultimate field trip 3 is written at a Level 5 reading level across 46 pages (approximately 5,140 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Ultimate field trip 3 on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Ultimate field trip 3 takes about 34 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Ultimate field trip 3 as C (Gentle) 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, Ultimate field trip 3 explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and family — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, adventure, friendship.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Ultimate Field Trip series.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
C · GentleReading 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
No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
8/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Ultimate Field Trip Series
Ultimate Field Trip #1
Susan E. Goodman
Ultimate Field Trip #1
Susan E. Goodman
Ultimate Field Trip #5
Susan E. Goodman
Ultimate Field Trip #5
Susan E. Goodman
Ultimate Field Trip 2
Susan E. Goodman
Ultimate Field Trip 2
Susan E. Goodman
A Week in the 1800s (Ultimate Field Trip)
Susan E. Goodman
A Week in the 1800s (Ultimate Field Trip)
Susan E. Goodman
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Matched on content and themes — all rated for reading level and content intensity.
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The undersea world
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Tamra Orr
Life in the deep sea
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Life in the deep sea
Elizabeth Tayntor Gowell
Under the sea
Linsay Knight
Under the sea
Linsay Knight
Maine
Patricia K. Kummer
Maine
Patricia K. Kummer
The ocean
Mel Higginson
The ocean
Mel Higginson
In the deep sea
Sneed B. Collard
In the deep sea
Sneed B. Collard
Wild Marine Habitats - Tide Pools (Wild Marine Habitats)
Melissa Cole
Wild Marine Habitats - Tide Pools (Wild Marine Habitats)
Melissa Cole
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0689819633
- Pages
- 46
- Publisher
- Atheneum Books
- Published
- 1999
- Type
- Nonfiction
- Word Count
- 5,140
- Read-Aloud
- ~34 min
- Text Density
- Light Text