Age rating and parents' guide:Fish in a Tree
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ages 9–14
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is best for children aged 9–14. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Ally has managed to hide her inability to read by acting out and causing distractions at every new school she attends. Feeling hopeless and convinced she is simply not smart, her outlook begins to shift when a perceptive new teacher, Mr. Daniels, recognizes her struggles as dyslexia. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- None
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Emotionally light
Great for kids who like
- Realistic Fiction (School & Friendships)
- Animals
- Nature & outdoors
Reading mood
- Inspiring
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Emotions & empathy
Books like Fish in a Tree
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 9–14
My Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George
Tired of his crowded New York City apartment, young Sam Gribley runs away to the Catskill Mountains to live off the land on his family's old homestead. Hollowing out a massive hemlock tree for shelter, he learns to forage, make fire, and train a young peregrine falcon named Frightful to hunt alongside him. Invites readers to look more closely at the natural world.
Ages 9–14
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Ages 10–14
The Angry River
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Sita lives with her grandparents on a tiny island in the middle of a great river. When her grandmother falls ill and her grandfather takes her to the hospital on the mainland, Sita is left on her own just as monsoon rains cause the river to swell uncontrollably. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
Ages 9–11
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Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni has just moved to a small Florida town with her preacher father, feeling lonely and missing the mother who abandoned her years ago. Everything changes when she finds a scruffy, smiling stray dog in the local supermarket and takes him home. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
Ages 9–14
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Ten-year-old August Pullman was born with severe facial differences that kept him out of mainstream school—until now. Entering fifth grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid, but his new classmates struggle to look past his appearance. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
Ages 9–14
Restart
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Chase falls off his roof and wakes up with total amnesia. When he returns to middle school, he discovers he was once the school's most notorious bully, feared and hated by many of his peers. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
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Questions parents ask
Q: What age is Fish in a Tree for?
Q: Is Fish in a Tree appropriate for a 9 year old?
Q: What should my child read after Fish in a Tree?
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