Good neighbors
Colin Thompson
Good neighbors
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Colin Thompson
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if your neighbors were witches and wizards who could cast spells to fix any problem? Imagine living next door to a family so grumpy and mean that the whole street feels gloomy. Could magic be the answer to turning a neighborhood nightmare into a friendly place?
Quick Assessment
Good Neighbors is a humorous middle-grade fiction book about the Flood family, who are witches and wizards living next to the unpleasant Dents. The story explores themes of family, magic, and neighborly relationships with lighthearted humor, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. The book includes illustrations and presents a gentle, magical conflict without intense content.
Why we rated Good neighbors 11C
Good neighbors is written at a Level 6 reading level across 214 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Good neighbors works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Good neighbors as 11C ("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, Good neighbors explores magic, humor, family, neighbors, and witches and wizards — 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 magic, humor, family.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 9780061131967
- Pages
- 214
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Children's Books
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction