Flat broke
Gary Paulsen
Flat broke
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed
by Gary Paulsen
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
Kevin is the king of mess-ups, and now he's flat broke! Watch as his wild ideas to make money lead to hilarious chaos and unexpected surprises. It’s a rollercoaster of laughs that shows why being yourself—even with mistakes—really matters.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Flat Broke follows Kevin, a relatable middle-grade protagonist who must navigate the challenges of earning money after facing consequences for his past dishonesty. This humorous story explores themes of family, responsibility, and personal growth, making it appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should know it contains light comedic mishaps and emphasizes learning from mistakes.
Why we rated Flat broke 9LE
Flat broke is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 118 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Flat broke works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Flat broke 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, Flat broke explores humor, family, coming of age, and moneymaking projects — 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 humor, family, coming of age.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545558280
- Pages
- 118
- Publisher
- Yearling
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction