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My big mouth

Peter Hannan

Cover of My big mouth

My big mouth

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

10 Songs I Wrote that Almost Got Me Killed

by Peter Hannan

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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.

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About This Book

What would you do if your first day at a new school turned into a battle with the biggest bully around? Davis Delaware tries to start fresh by forming a band with Molly, the girl he likes, but she's already with Gerald, the toughest kid in school. Can Davis keep his dream alive when everything seems stacked against him?

Themes

Interpersonal relationsHigh schoolsSchoolsRock groupsBullies

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, bullying, and coping with loss, as Davis Delaware adjusts to a new school after his mother's death. It includes realistic portrayals of school dynamics and interpersonal challenges suitable for ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of bullying and relational conflict, which are handled in an age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated My big mouth 11LE

My big mouth is written at a Level 6 reading level across 235 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My big mouth works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate My big mouth 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying.

Thematically, My big mouth explores interpersonal relations, high schools, schools, rock groups, and bullies — 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 interpersonal relations, high schools, schools.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Bullying
Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

235 pages
ISBN
9780545162104
Pages
235
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
2011
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Interpersonal RelationsHigh SchoolsSchoolsRock GroupsBullies