Disgusting digestion
Nick Arnold
Disgusting digestion
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Nick Arnold
Illustrated by De Saulles, Tony, illustrator
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
Want to know the secret world inside your belly? It’s full of gooey, smelly, and downright disgusting surprises that you never imagined. But that’s only the beginning of this wild, stomach-churning adventure!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade nonfiction book explores the human digestive system with humor and fascinating facts that engage readers aged 9-12. It includes some gross but educational content about digestion, food poisoning, and historical eating habits, presented in a fun and accessible way. Parents should note the book’s frank descriptions of bodily functions, which are appropriate for curious children in this age group.
Why we rated Disgusting digestion 11LP
Disgusting digestion is written at a Level 6 reading level across 206 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Disgusting digestion works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Disgusting digestion as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Disgusting digestion explores science & nature, humor, and juvenile literature — 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 science & nature, humor, juvenile literature.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781407142654
- Pages
- 206
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Nonfiction