I am Fartacus
Mark Maciejewski
I am Fartacus
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
I Am Fartacus
by Mark Maciejewski
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp clang of lockers slamming echoes through Alanmoore Middle School as Chub and his friends scramble through crowded hallways. A mysterious disappearance has everyone whispering—someone has taken the school mascot, a weird, wobbly sculpture they call “The Boogerloo.” With only forty-eight hours to find it, can Chub save his friends, his school, and maybe even his place in the world?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Chub and his group of diverse friends as they navigate school challenges, friendship, and a high-stakes mystery involving their missing school mascot. The story explores themes of belonging, conflict resolution, and teamwork, set against the backdrop of middle school life. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild school conflicts and humorous situations without intense content.
Why we rated I am Fartacus 12LE
I am Fartacus is written at a Level 7 reading level across 323 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, I am Fartacus works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate I am Fartacus as 12LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Bullying, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, I am Fartacus explores friendship, middle school, humor, adventure, and interpersonal relations — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, middle school, humor.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Squish, Super Amoeba
Jennifer L. Holm
Squish, Super Amoeba
Jennifer L. Holm
Fart Squad
Seamus Pilger
Fart Squad
Seamus Pilger
Unidentified farting objects
Seamus Pilger
Unidentified farting objects
Seamus Pilger
Fart Quest
Aaron Reynolds
Fart Quest
Aaron Reynolds
Fart Quest
Aaron Reynolds
Fart Quest
Aaron Reynolds
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly
Rachel Renée Russell
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly
Rachel Renée Russell
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481464222
- Pages
- 323
- Publisher
- Aladdin
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction