What reading level is Nothing but trouble?

Nothing but trouble by Jacqueline Davies is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 730L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Nothing but trouble appropriate for?

Nothing but trouble is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

What genre is Nothing but trouble?

Nothing but trouble is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Nothing but trouble have any content warnings?

Nothing but trouble 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 Nothing but trouble?

Nothing but trouble by Jacqueline Davies is 314 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Nothing but trouble

Jacqueline Davies

Nothing but trouble

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jacqueline Davies

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

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

Maggie’s small town is about to get a big shake-up thanks to two girls with a knack for trouble! When Lena moves in, their pranks—like purple smoke bombs and parachuting mice—turn boring middle school days upside down. But why is their new principal so mad, and what secret passageways are hiding just beneath the surface?

Themes

Humor FriendshipMiddle SchoolPractical JokesSmall Town Life

Quick Assessment

Nothing but Trouble is a humorous middle-grade novel about friendship, creativity, and the excitement of shaking up a small town. Suitable for ages 9-12, it features practical jokes and school adventures that encourage teamwork and imagination without any inappropriate content. The story’s lighthearted tone and positive messages make it a fun, age-appropriate read for middle schoolers.

Why we rated Nothing but trouble 9C

Nothing but trouble is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 314 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Nothing but trouble works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Nothing but trouble 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, Nothing but trouble explores humor, friendship, middle school, practical jokes, and small town life — 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, middle school.

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.