What reading level is A year in the life of a complete and total genius?

A year in the life of a complete and total genius by Stacey Matson is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 810L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is A year in the life of a complete and total genius appropriate for?

A year in the life of a complete and total genius is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is A year in the life of a complete and total genius?

A year in the life of a complete and total genius is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does A year in the life of a complete and total genius have any content warnings?

A year in the life of a complete and total genius has a HootRating of 10ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is A year in the life of a complete and total genius?

A year in the life of a complete and total genius by Stacey Matson is 267 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

A year in the life of a complete and total genius

Stacey Matson

A year in the life of a complete and total genius

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Stacey Matson

Reading Level 5-6 10ME Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

The scratch of Arthur's pen fills the quiet room, weaving stories that are as loud as his thoughts. His words dance across pages, stirring laughs and a little trouble too. Sometimes, being a genius feels lonely—but Arthur’s journey is just beginning.

Themes

GriefJunior high schoolsDatingAuthorshipFriendship Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Arthur Bean, a young boy navigating grief, school challenges, and budding social dynamics through his writing. Told through letters, emails, and notes, it offers a heartfelt and humorous look at a child's creative mind and the complexities of growing up. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, it thoughtfully touches on themes of loss, friendship, and self-expression without heavy content.

Why we rated A year in the life of a complete and total genius 10ME

A year in the life of a complete and total genius is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 810L across 267 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A year in the life of a complete and total genius works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate A year in the life of a complete and total genius as 10ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, A year in the life of a complete and total genius explores grief, junior high schools, dating, authorship, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about grief, junior high schools, dating.