What reading level is Bad luck?

Bad luck by Pseudonymous Bosch is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 780L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Bad luck appropriate for?

Bad luck is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10LP (Light — Physical). Content flags: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.

What genre is Bad luck?

Bad luck is fiction — Juvenile Fiction. Part of the Bad Books series.

Does Bad luck have any content warnings?

Bad luck has a HootRating of 10LP (Light — Physical). Content flags include: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Bad luck?

Bad luck by Pseudonymous Bosch is 278 pages (approximately 48,395 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Bad luck

Pseudonymous Bosch

Bad luck

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Pseudonymous Bosch

Illustrated by Moreno, Juan C., illustrator

Bad Books

Reading Level 5-6 10LP 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

Clay and his friends find themselves unraveling a series of strange happenings at Earth Ranch, from mysterious footprints to secret cave paintings. Their adventure leads them through unexpected twists aboard a curious cruise ship and into magical encounters that challenge their courage and wit. Packed with humor, mischief, and dragons, this thrilling tale keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Themes

Adventure Mystery Fantasy World-Building Friendship

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Bad luck 10LP

Bad luck is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 780L across 278 pages (approximately 48,395 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bad luck works for readers up to grade 7.2.

Read aloud, Bad luck runs about 5.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Bad luck as 10LP ("Light — Physical") 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.

Thematically, Bad luck explores adventure, mystery, fantasy world-building, 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, mystery, fantasy world-building.