All the things that could go wrong
Stewart Foster
All the things that could go wrong
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stewart Foster
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Alex can’t even leave his house some days because of his OCD, and Dan is the angriest kid in school who picks on him nonstop. But when their moms make them spend winter break together, everything might just change — and not in the way anyone expects. What happens when two enemies find out they might not be so different after all?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges of OCD and anger management through the evolving relationship between two very different boys, Alex and Dan. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses bullying and mental health while promoting empathy and understanding. Parents should note the book contains themes of bullying and emotional struggles but handles them with care and hope.
Why we rated All the things that could go wrong 12ME
All the things that could go wrong is written at a Level 7 reading level across 336 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, All the things that could go wrong works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate All the things that could go wrong as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, All the things that could go wrong explores bullying, family, friendship, mental health, and school — 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 bullying, family, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316416856
- Pages
- 336
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction