This book hits somewhere right between children's and middle grade. It touches on so much: adaptation, friendship, death, the cycle of life, and the strength of community. Speaking of death, it is mentioned semi-often in a matter-of-fact way and not used for drama. Roz is a fun, surprising sympathetic character and the plot had the kiddos alternating between excitement, suspense, and laughter.

For reading aloud, I would suggest this book works well for ages 7+, but the vocabulary for a child to read by themselves is probably closer to 9 or 10.