Crush-tastic!
Beth Beechwood
Crush-tastic!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Beth Beechwood
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
Miley’s heart races as she spills her secret crush to Aunt Dolly’s camera—then the tape slips right into Jake’s hands! Now she’s caught between keeping her secret and facing Jake’s reaction. Suddenly, trying out for cheerleading feels like the least of her worries!
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Miley Stewart, a girl balancing normal life with her secret pop star identity. The story deals with themes of friendship, young crushes, and the challenges of keeping secrets, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note mild themes around romantic feelings and the pressures of juggling school and fame.
Why we rated Crush-tastic! 9LE
Crush-tastic! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 122 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crush-tastic! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Crush-tastic! 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, Crush-tastic! explores friendship, romance, family, and humor — 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 friendship, romance, family.
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
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
- 9781423104612
- Pages
- 122
- Publisher
- Disney Press
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction