Barry Loser
Jim Smith
Barry Loser
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Worst School Trip Ever!
by Jim Smith
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if your school trip led you straight into the smelly sewers of Mogden City? Imagine sneaking away to find a TV show set, only to get lost when night falls in a place full of surprises. Can Barry escape the chaos before things get even messier?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Barry Loser embarks on a humorous middle-grade adventure during a school trip to the sewers of Mogden City. This book is suitable for children ages 9-12 and features lighthearted mischief and mild peril in a comedic setting. Parents should note the story contains mild tension related to getting lost but no serious content concerns.
Why we rated Barry Loser 11LE
Barry Loser is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Barry Loser works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Barry Loser as 11LE ("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, Barry Loser explores humor, adventure, friendship, and children's 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The worst class trip ever
Dave Barry
The worst class trip ever
Dave Barry
Barry Loser and the Birthday Billions
Jim Smith
Barry Loser and the Birthday Billions
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry Loser Is the Best at Football NOT!
Jim Smith
Barry's Mathemagical Journey
Beck, Barry R., Jr.
Barry's Mathemagical Journey
Beck, Barry R., Jr.
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781405283991
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Egmont Books, Limited
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction