Bully
Penelope Douglas
Bully
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Penelope Douglas
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp snap of a locker slamming echoes down the hall, mixing with whispers that sting like cold wind. Tate remembers when laughter was shared, not aimed like arrows, but now every step feels heavy with the weight of Jared's sneers. Can friendship survive when the line between love and hate blurs into something dangerous?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the intense dynamics of bullying and its emotional impact on a young girl named Tate. After being targeted by her former best friend Jared throughout high school, Tate returns determined to stand up for herself and confront the pain and rumors that have shadowed her life. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story deals with themes of intimidation and emotional struggle, offering a thoughtful look at resilience and personal growth.
Why we rated Bully 12IE
Bully is written at a Level 7 reading level across 331 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bully works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Bully as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Emotional Distress.
Thematically, Bully explores bullying, friendship, coming of age, and romance — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about bullying, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781490559179
- Pages
- 331
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction