Funny little monkey
Andrew Auseon
Funny little monkey
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrew Auseon
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The sharp scrape of sneakers on the schoolyard pavement echoes as Arty, smaller than most, feels the cool breeze brush past him. Around him, whispers and laughter swirl, but Arty’s heart pounds with a mix of fear and determination. What will happen when he and the so-called 'pathetic losers' stand up to his towering twin brother?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Arty, a notably short fourteen-year-old boy, who teams up with a group of classmates often labeled as outcasts to confront his abusive older twin brother. The story addresses themes of bullying, sibling rivalry, and standing up for oneself, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should be aware of moderate emotional content involving family conflict and bullying.
Why we rated Funny little monkey 11ME
Funny little monkey is written at a Level 6 reading level across 298 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Funny little monkey works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Funny little monkey as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying.
Thematically, Funny little monkey explores family, bullying, friendship, and school — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, bullying, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0152053344
- Pages
- 298
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction