Battle of the bots
C. J. Richards
Battle of the bots
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by C. J. Richards
Illustrated by Fujita, Goro (Artist), illustrator
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
The buzz and whir of gears fill the air as sparks fly from Jackbot’s metal fingers. In the heart of Terabyte Heights, George Gearing faces a town that’s turned its back on robots. But when the secret to saving his parents lies with the locked-up Dr. Micron, George must decide how far he’s willing to go to bring them back.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a futuristic town wary of robots, this middle-grade science fiction novel follows ten-year-old George, a robotics prodigy, as he navigates friendship and ethical challenges. The story explores themes of loyalty, technology, and moral dilemmas appropriate for ages 9-12, with mild tension around imprisonment and crime. Parents should note the presence of a villain and some suspenseful situations but no graphic content.
Why we rated Battle of the bots 11LE
Battle of the bots is written at a Level 6 reading level across 231 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Battle of the bots works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Battle of the bots 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, Battle of the bots explores science & nature, friendship, adventure, and robots — 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 science & nature, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
2/10A 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 junkyard bot
C. J. Richards
The junkyard bot
C. J. Richards
The battle of the bots
John Perritano
The battle of the bots
John Perritano
Lots of bots
C. J. Richards
Lots of bots
C. J. Richards
Battle of the Bots
Steve Korté
Battle of the Bots
Steve Korté
BattleBots
Scholastic
BattleBots
Scholastic
Robot Competitions
Mary Lindeen
Robot Competitions
Mary Lindeen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780544339323
- Pages
- 231
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction