Bad Dad
David Walliams
Bad Dad
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Walliams
The text is written at a 8th 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
Frank races through the dark streets, heart pounding as he dodges the crime boss's henchmen. His dad, once a champion racer, is locked away in prison, and now Frank has to pull off a daring rescue. But can he outsmart the villains before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
Bad Dad by David Walliams is a humorous middle-grade novel about a boy named Frank whose father, a former racing champion, ends up in prison after an accident. The story blends comedy with thrilling elements of crime and adventure, suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild peril and themes involving crime but presented in a lighthearted, accessible way.
Why we rated Bad Dad 12LE
Bad Dad is written at a Level 8 reading level across 464 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bad Dad works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Bad Dad as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Bad Dad explores humor, adventure, father and child, and family — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, adventure, father and child.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062561091
- Pages
- 464
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction