Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Bad Guys #20
Blabey, Aaron
Bad Guys #20
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Blabey, Aaron
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Meet a group of funny, misunderstood characters who try their best to be heroes, even when things don’t go as planned. Filled with laughs and wild adventures, this final chapter brings their story to an exciting close. Perfect for young readers who love action and humor!
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated Bad Guys #20 7C
Bad Guys #20 is written at a Level 2-3 reading level (approximately 2,044 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bad Guys #20 works for readers up to grade 4.2.
Read aloud, Bad Guys #20 takes about 14 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Bad Guys #20 as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Bad Guys #20 explores friendship, humor, adventure, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, humor, adventure.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 20 more books in the Bad Guys (Scholastic) series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781546111801
- Publisher
- Scholastic Paperbacks
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 2,044
- Read-Aloud
- ~14 min