Behaving Bradley
Perry Nodelman
Behaving Bradley
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Perry Nodelman
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
Brad Gold ducks behind a locker as whispers spread down the hallway—he just spoke up about the new school rules, and now everyone’s staring. Trying to stay invisible was easy until today. What will happen when the whole school turns against him?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Brad Gold, a high school junior who inadvertently becomes unpopular after expressing his views on a new school code of conduct. The story explores themes of peer pressure, personal integrity, and navigating social dynamics in school. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers a humorous yet thoughtful look at adolescent challenges without intense content.
Why we rated Behaving Bradley 11LE
Behaving Bradley is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Behaving Bradley works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Behaving Bradley 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, Behaving Bradley explores humor, schools, friendship, and coming of age — 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 humor, schools, friendship.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0786247797
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction