Call me Friday the Thirteenth
Betty Bates
Call me Friday the Thirteenth
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Betty Bates
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The sharp clang of pots and the smell of burnt toast fill the kitchen as Gussie tries everything to catch her dad’s eye. But when one mishap stacks on another, will her father finally notice her? Sometimes, it takes a little chaos to bring hearts closer together.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction centers on Gussie MacIver, a young girl struggling to connect with her father while her mother is away caring for a sick relative. The story explores family dynamics and the bond between fathers and daughters with warmth and humor. Suitable for ages 9-12, it gently addresses themes of attention and family relationships without intense content.
Why we rated Call me Friday the Thirteenth 9LE
Call me Friday the Thirteenth is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 101 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Call me Friday the Thirteenth works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Call me Friday the Thirteenth as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Call me Friday the Thirteenth weaves together family and fathers and daughters.
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 family, fathers and daughters.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780440409847
- Pages
- 101
- Publisher
- Yearling
- Published
- 1985
- Type
- Fiction