Make Me Awesome
Ben Davis
Make Me Awesome
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ben Davis
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Chuck Wooland claims he can make anyone awesome—just like him! When Freddie Smallhouse joins the Make Me Awesome program, he’s ready to ditch boring and become a hero. But with Chuck’s advice coming in emails, will Freddie’s plans really work, or is this the start of a hilarious mess?
Quick Assessment
This humorous middle-grade novel follows Freddie Smallhouse as he attempts to transform himself from ordinary to awesome with the help of his quirky mentor, Chuck Wooland. The story explores themes of self-confidence and identity through funny scenarios and relatable challenges, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the lighthearted tone and comedic style, with no significant content concerns.
Why we rated Make Me Awesome 11C
Make Me Awesome is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Make Me Awesome works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Make Me Awesome as 11C ("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, Make Me Awesome explores humor, friendship, coming of age, 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, 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
11C — 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
- 9780192747969
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction