My life & other stuff that went wrong
Tristan Bancks
My life & other stuff that went wrong
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tristan Bancks
Illustrated by Gordon, Gus, 1971- illustrator
The text is written at a 7th 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
Tom Weekly is the king of disasters, turning everyday moments into outrageous adventures full of laughs and gross-out fun. From smashing vases to wild playground freak shows, nothing goes right — and that’s exactly why you won’t want to look away. Life might be messy, but Tom makes it unforgettable.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade book follows Tom Weekly as he navigates a series of humorous and chaotic events, blending imagination with real-life challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers lighthearted stories that incorporate mild gross humor and relatable childhood mishaps. Parents should note the playful tone and occasional messy situations, but the content remains age-appropriate and engaging.
Why we rated My life & other stuff that went wrong 12LE
My life & other stuff that went wrong is written at a Level 7 reading level across 301 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My life & other stuff that went wrong works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate My life & other stuff that went wrong as 12LE ("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 life & other stuff that went wrong explores humor, imagination, 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, imagination, friendship.
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
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780857980373
- Pages
- 301
- Publisher
- Random House Australia
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction