Drooling and Dangerous
Mary Amato
Drooling and Dangerous
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Riot Brothers Return!
by Mary Amato
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
Orville and Wilbur Riot are the kings of turning a boring day upside down with wild, hilarious adventures that you won't believe! From plotting to become movie stars to stopping a diamond heist, these brothers prove that bad days only get better when you take charge. But when Mom joins the chaos for a wacky switch day, things get even crazier—and way more fun!
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows the mischievous Riot brothers as they embark on humorous, action-packed adventures to banish boredom. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features lighthearted sibling dynamics and imaginative escapades in school and at home. The book contains no concerning content and promotes creativity and problem-solving through playful storytelling.
Why we rated Drooling and Dangerous 9C
Drooling and Dangerous is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Drooling and Dangerous works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Drooling and Dangerous as 9C ("Clear") 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, Drooling and Dangerous explores family, humor, adventure, schools, and brothers and sisters — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, humor, adventure.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780823438662
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- National Geographic Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction