EJ and the bully
Phillip Walton
EJ and the bully
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Lesson in Respect
by Phillip Walton
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What would you do if someone was mean to you at school? EJ faces a bully who makes him feel small, but his friend Derek shows him a powerful secret about being brave and valuable. Can EJ find the courage to stand up for himself?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story addresses bullying and self-esteem through the experience of a young child named EJ, who learns about respect and personal worth with the help of his friend Derek. Suitable for ages 5-8, it gently introduces important social-emotional themes in a way that is accessible for early readers. Parents should know it presents bullying scenarios that are resolved with positive messages about friendship and confidence.
Why we rated EJ and the bully 6LE
EJ and the bully is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 44 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, EJ and the bully works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate EJ and the bully as 6LE ("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, EJ and the bully explores bullying, self-esteem, respect, friendship, and juvenile fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about bullying, self-esteem, respect.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781936086016
- Pages
- 44
- Publisher
- Rising Star Studios
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction