Bucky gets busted
David B. Smith
Bucky gets busted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David B. Smith
The text is written at a 4th 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
Bucky Stone isn’t your average high schooler—he carries his Christian faith like a secret superpower and a heavy weight all at once. When a weekend road trip with friends spins wildly out of control, everything Bucky believes is put to the test. What happens next could change how he sees himself—and the world—forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Bucky Stone, a high school junior whose Christian beliefs both challenge and support him during a spontaneous road trip. The story explores themes of faith, friendship, and personal growth, with situations that may prompt conversations about decision-making and consequences. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles religious themes thoughtfully within a realistic school and social setting.
Why we rated Bucky gets busted 9LE
Bucky gets busted is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bucky gets busted works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Bucky gets busted as 9LE ("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, Bucky gets busted explores christian life, high schools, friendship, coming of age, and conduct of life — 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 christian life, high schools, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 0828008078
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Review & Herald Pub Assn
- Published
- 1994
- Type
- Fiction