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Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet

Andrew Clements

Cover of Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet

Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Andrew Clements

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if trying to help in class suddenly made you the teacher's pet, even when you just wanted to blend in? Imagine Jake's surprise when Mrs. Snavin picks him as her special helper, and suddenly all eyes—and whispers—are on him. Can Jake find a way to win back his friends before the school year ends?

Themes

FriendshipGrowing Up & Facts of LifeSocial Skills & School LifeHumorAction & Adventure

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction book follows Jake as he navigates the challenges of being labeled the teacher's pet after volunteering to help in class. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of friendship, social dynamics, and growing up with humor and relatable school experiences. Parents should note it deals lightly with social pressures but in a positive and age-appropriate way.

Why we rated Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet 9LE

Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 100 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet 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, Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet explores friendship, growing up & facts of life, social skills & school life, humor, and action & adventure — 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 friendship, growing up & facts of life, social skills & school life.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

100 pages
ISBN
9781956292138
Pages
100
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published
2012-07-24
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Growing Up & Facts of LifeFriendship, Social Skills & School LifeAction & AdventureHumor