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Battle of the bots

C. J. Richards

Cover of Battle of the bots

Battle of the bots

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by C. J. Richards

Illustrated by Fujita, Goro (Artist), illustrator

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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.

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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.

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 — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

231 pages
ISBN
9780544339323
Pages
231
Publisher
Clarion Books
Published
2015
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Science FictionScientistsFriendshipRobots