What reading level is the Once Upon a Time (Simon) series?

Once Upon a Time (Simon) books are at a grades 5–6 reading level (average grade level 5.8), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 11+. There are 3 books in the series.

What order should I read the Once Upon a Time (Simon) books?

Series numbers aren't available for most Once Upon a Time (Simon) books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Midnight Pearls (2003); Scarlet Moon (2004); Water Song (2006).

What age is the Once Upon a Time (Simon) series appropriate for?

HootRated recommends Once Upon a Time (Simon) for ages 11+. Content is mild to moderate (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.

Once Upon a Time (Simon) Books in Order

Once Upon a Time (Simon) is a 3-book series by Debbie Viguie for ages 11+, at a grades 5–6 reading level, with mild to moderate content (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5).

Books: 3; By publication date
Reading level: Grades 5–6; Average grade level 5.8
Recommended ages: Ages 11+; From HootRated age ratings
Content intensity: Mild to moderate; HootRated 2–3 out of 5 · avg 2.7

Once Upon a Time (Simon) Reading Order

Series numbers aren't available for most Once Upon a Time (Simon) books, so they're listed by publication date (oldest first).

#	Title	Reading Level	Ages	Content
1	Midnight Pearls 2003	Level 5-6	11+	Mild
2	Scarlet Moon 2004	Level 5-6	13+	Moderate
3	Water Song A Retelling of "The Frog Prince" 2006 · Suzanne Weyn	Level 6-7	13+	Moderate

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. Once Upon a Time (Simon) (3 books by Debbie Viguie) lands at a grades 5–6 reading level, with average content intensity 2.7/5. 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 Once Upon a Time (Simon) Books

Midnight Pearls

Debbie Viguie

Midnight Pearls

Debbie Viguie

Level 5-6

Scarlet Moon

Debbie Viguie

Scarlet Moon

Debbie Viguie

Level 5-6

Water Song

Suzanne Weyn

Water Song

Suzanne Weyn

Level 6-7

Series Like Once Upon a Time (Simon): What to Read Next

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Questions about the Once Upon a Time (Simon) series

What reading level is the Once Upon a Time (Simon) series?: Once Upon a Time (Simon) books are at a grades 5–6 reading level (average grade level 5.8), and HootRated recommends the series for ages 11+. There are 3 books in the series.
What order should I read the Once Upon a Time (Simon) books?: Series numbers aren't available for most Once Upon a Time (Simon) books, so HootRated lists them by publication date: Midnight Pearls (2003); Scarlet Moon (2004); Water Song (2006).
What age is the Once Upon a Time (Simon) series appropriate for?: HootRated recommends Once Upon a Time (Simon) for ages 11+. Content is mild to moderate (HootRated intensity 2–3 out of 5). Intensity stays consistent across the series, so a reader who can handle the first book can generally handle the rest.