My Buddy, the King
Bill Brittain
My Buddy, the King
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bill Brittain
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
Here's a secret: Tim Quilt just saved King Tokab from choking on a frankfurter, and now they're buddies! But when a sneaky plot threatens the king, Tim has to use his smarts to keep him safe — and that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Tim Quilt as he befriends King Tokab after saving him from choking. Together, they uncover and outwit a dangerous plot against the king. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features themes of friendship, bravery, and mystery without intense content.
Why we rated My Buddy, the King 9LE
My Buddy, the King is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 146 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My Buddy, the King works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate My Buddy, the King 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, My Buddy, the King explores friendship, adventure, and mystery — 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 friendship, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780064403399
- Pages
- 146
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- February 1992
- Type
- Fiction