Katfish
Obert Skye
Katfish
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Obert Skye
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if your biggest problem was surviving a school version of the Hunger Games? Imagine having a fierce, tail-wearing friend named Katfish—part warrior, part mermaid—ready to give you the best tips to win and fix your mess. But with everyone against you, can Rob turn things around before everything falls apart?
Quick Assessment
This humorous middle-grade novel follows Rob Burnside as he navigates the social fallout of his past mistakes and an unusual school competition inspired by the Hunger Games. With the help of Katfish—a quirky, strong-willed character—Rob learns about friendship, resilience, and self-improvement. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it contains light themes of social challenges and mild peril in a fun, imaginative setting.
Why we rated Katfish 11LE
Katfish is written at a Level 6 reading level across 274 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Katfish works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Katfish as 11LE ("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, Katfish explores humor, friendship, adventure, and coming of age — 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 humor, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
Sink or swim
Judy Katschke
Sink or swim
Judy Katschke
Beware the Fish!
Gordon Korman
Beware the Fish!
Gordon Korman
FISH
ALISON MORGAN
FISH
ALISON MORGAN
Adventures of Catfish Jax and Bizy Lizy
Christina Saiki
Adventures of Catfish Jax and Bizy Lizy
Christina Saiki
Fish
Charlie James
Fish
Charlie James
Fishtale
Bauer, Hans
Fishtale
Bauer, Hans
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781627792479
- Pages
- 274
- Publisher
- Macmillan + ORM
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction