What reading level is Bristle Face?

Bristle Face by Zachary Ball is at a Level 6 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Bristle Face appropriate for?

Bristle Face is recommended for Ages 9-12. Content intensity: "Mild" (2/5). Content flags: Emotional: Abuse & Neglect, Emotional: Loneliness, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril.

What genre is Bristle Face?

Bristle Face is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Bristle Face have any content warnings?

Bristle Face has a content intensity rating of "Mild" (2/5). Content flags include: Emotional: Abuse & Neglect, Emotional: Loneliness, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril. On HootRated, every book is rated for emotional, physical, and social content themes to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Bristle Face?

Bristle Face by Zachary Ball is 216 pages.

Bristle Face

Zachary Ball

Bristle Face

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Zachary Ball

Reading Level 6 Mild (Lvl 2) 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 sharp scent of pine and the crunch of dry leaves underfoot fill the air as Jase stumbles upon a scruffy dog with a bristly face and a wagging tail. Together, they find warmth and laughter inside Lute Swank's general store, a place where friendship blooms like wildflowers in spring. In this quiet corner of Mississippi, they discover that home isn't just a place—it's who you choose to trust.

Themes

DogsFriendshipOrphansFamily Adventure Multicultural

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Jase, a boy escaping an abusive home, who forms a bond with a stray dog in rural Mississippi. The story explores themes of friendship, resilience, and belonging, set against the backdrop of fox hunting culture. Suitable for ages 9-12, it portrays sensitive topics like abuse with care and offers a hopeful message for young readers.