Hurty Feelings
by Helen Lester
Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books 2007
Great fit for 2nd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- feelings and emotions
- self-esteem
- resilience
- teasing and bullying
- empathy
- confidence
- friendship
About this book
Fragility, a very sensitive hippopotamus, gets her feelings hurt by even the smallest comments. When teasing and misunderstandings pile up, she has to find a way to handle words without crumpling. With gentle humor and expressive animal characters, this picture book helps young readers recognize emotions and build resilience. Perfect for read-alouds, it reassures kids that they can be both kind and strong.
Setting: a contemporary, lighthearted animal community
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hurty Feelings right for my child?
Yes — Hurty Feelings is a great fit for 2nd grade. The reading level is AR 2.8, which is typical for 2nd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include feelings and emotions, self-esteem, resilience.
How long does it take to read Hurty Feelings?
At a typical 2nd grade reading pace, Hurty Feelings takes around 9m to finish. The book has 1,100 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Hurty Feelings have an AR quiz?
Yes — Hurty Feelings has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Hurty Feelings?
Hurty Feelings has an AR reading level of 2.8, which places it at a 2nd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.