Bad Kid
Sarah Lariviere
Bad Kid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Lariviere
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Claudeline Feng LeBernardin sneaks through shadows, heart pounding, eyes sharp. Grandpa Si’s gangster legacy feels like a secret power, but now her dad’s in charge, and things are falling apart. When a mysterious stranger named Alma Lingonberry appears, Claude’s world spins into a mystery that might change everything—can she handle what’s coming next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Claudeline Feng LeBernardin, who grapples with family secrets and the legacy of her gangster grandfather while trying to understand what it truly means to be 'bad.' The story explores themes of family, friendship, and moral complexity within a suspenseful, age-appropriate plot suitable for readers ages 9-12. There is mild peril and some references to gang life, but these are presented in a way that encourages thoughtful reflection rather than glorification.
Why we rated Bad Kid 12ME
Bad Kid is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bad Kid works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Bad Kid 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, thematic difficulty — 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, Bad Kid explores family, friendship, mystery, gangs, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, mystery.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The bad kid
Sarah Lariviere
The bad kid
Sarah Lariviere
Bad
Jean Ferris
Bad
Jean Ferris
Bad seeds
Betsy Powell
Bad seeds
Betsy Powell
Bad Guy
Hannah Barnaby
Bad Guy
Hannah Barnaby
Bad
Helen Chapman
Bad
Helen Chapman
Bad Boys
Paul Boerger
Bad Boys
Paul Boerger
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481435833
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction