How Not to Be a Dick
Meghan Doherty
How Not to Be a Dick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Everyday Etiquette Guide
by Meghan Doherty
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
Being a 'dick' might seem like an unstoppable superpower—cutting in line, talking behind backs, or even turning into an online troll! But what if you had the secret tools to spot these moments and choose kindness instead? Learning how not to be a 'dick' isn’t just smart—it can change the whole game.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book offers honest, straightforward advice on everyday etiquette and thoughtful behavior for children ages 9-12. Using playful illustrations and relatable scenarios, it helps kids recognize and navigate moments of rude or inconsiderate behavior, encouraging empathy and better social choices. Parents should note the casual language and frank approach to social challenges, making it a valuable resource for teaching kindness.
Why we rated How Not to Be a Dick 9C
How Not to Be a Dick 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, How Not to Be a Dick works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate How Not to Be a Dick 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, How Not to Be a Dick explores etiquette, friendship, coming of age, humor, and social justice — 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 etiquette, friendship, coming of age.
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
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781936976126
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Zest Books ™
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction