What reading level is the First Cat in Space series?

First Cat in Space books are at a grades 2–3 reading level (average grade level 3.1), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 3 books in the series.

What age is the First Cat in Space series appropriate for?

HootRated recommends First Cat in Space for ages 9–12. Content is gentle to mild (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

First Cat in Space Books in Order

First Cat in Space is a 3-book series by Mac Barnett for ages 9–12, at a grades 2–3 reading level, with gentle to mild content (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5).

Books: 3; By publication date
Reading level: Grades 2–3; Average grade level 3.1
Recommended ages: Ages 9–12; From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity: Gentle to mild; HootRated 1–2 out of 5 · avg 1.3

First Cat in Space Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most First Cat in Space books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

#	Title	Reading Level	Ages	Content
1	The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza (The First Cat in Space, 1) 2022	Level 2-3	9-12	Gentle
2	The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom 2023	Level 3-4	9-12	Mild
3	First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip 2024	Level 3-4	9-12	Gentle

Content Intensity Across the Series

Consistent

Content stays at a steady intensity level throughout the series.

First book Latest book

Series books grow with readers — but that's also the trap. Most series start at one reading level and one content intensity and drift upward over the course of the run. First Cat in Space (3 books by Mac Barnett) lands at a grades 2–3 reading level, with average content intensity 1.3/5. Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

The reading-order table above lists every book with per-volume reading level, age and intensity ratings so you can spot any escalation before it catches your reader off guard. For a deeper dive into how we score text difficulty vs. emotional weight separately — and why series readers especially benefit from that split — see our methodology page.

All First Cat in Space Books

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza (The First Cat in Space, 1)

Mac Barnett

The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza (The First Cat in Space, 1)

Mac Barnett

Level 2-3 Gentle

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

Mac Barnett

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

Mac Barnett

Level 3-4

First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip

Mac Barnett

First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip

Mac Barnett

Level 3-4

Series Like First Cat in Space: What to Read Next

Similar reading level, content intensity and themes.

Questions about the First Cat in Space series

What reading level is the First Cat in Space series?: First Cat in Space books are at a grades 2–3 reading level (average grade level 3.1), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 9–12. There are 3 books in the series.
What order should I read the First Cat in Space books?: Series numbers aren't available for most First Cat in Space books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza (The First Cat in Space, 1) (2022); The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom (2023); First Cat in Space and the Wrath of the Paperclip (2024).
What age is the First Cat in Space series appropriate for?: HootRated recommends First Cat in Space for ages 9–12. Content is gentle to mild (HootRated intensity 1–2 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.