Bad to the bone boxer
Tui T. Sutherland
Bad to the bone boxer
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tui T. Sutherland
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever met a dog who just can’t stop causing chaos? Tombo, the boxer, is so full of energy that he chews on everything in sight! But can Michelle find a way to help Tombo behave and make new friends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade book follows Michelle and her lively boxer, Tombo, who struggles with his playful but mischievous behavior. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of responsibility and friendship as Michelle tries to help Tombo get along with other pets. The content is light and appropriate for young readers without any intense or troubling scenes.
Why we rated Bad to the bone boxer 9C
Bad to the bone boxer is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 156 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bad to the bone boxer works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Bad to the bone boxer as 9C ("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 to the bone boxer explores dogs, pets, friendship, and juvenile fiction — 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 dogs, pets, friendship.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient 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
- 9780545202718
- Pages
- 156
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction