What reading level is Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade?

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade by Melissa Thomson is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade appropriate for?

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

What genre is Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade?

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade have any content warnings?

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade?

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade by Melissa Thomson is 112 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade

Melissa Thomson

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Melissa Thomson

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

A Junior Library Guild selection

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

What if your first day of second grade turned into a wild adventure full of mix-ups and surprises? Imagine trying to stay out of trouble when everything seems to go wrong! Keena’s not just any student—she’s the biggest troublemaker in her class, but can she keep it together before things get even more out of hand?

Themes

HumorSchool & EducationFriendship Family

Quick Assessment

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade follows a spirited young girl navigating the challenges and humor of starting second grade. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, this book offers lighthearted stories about school life and childhood mishaps, emphasizing humor and relatable school experiences without intense content. It's a fun, age-appropriate read that encourages laughter and resilience in young readers.

Why we rated Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade 9C

Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade 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, Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade explores humor, school & education, friendship, and family — 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 humor, school & education, friendship.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Keena Ford, Troublemaker of the Second Grade carries an award.

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.