Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious
Joanna Nadin
Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joanna Nadin
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
What would you do if you suddenly caught a super contagious case of chicken pox? Penny's life gets even more exciting when she makes a new best friend and dreams big about becoming a tycoon. But can she handle all these surprises at once?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction collection follows Penny through three engaging stories as she navigates friendship, illness, and ambition. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles common childhood experiences like chicken pox with humor and warmth, making it relatable and approachable for young readers.
Why we rated Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious 9C
Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Penny Dreadful is Incredibly Contagious explores friendship, family, coming of age, humor, and adventure — 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, family, 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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780794535247
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Usborne Books/ EDC Publishing
- Published
- 2015-01-01
- Type
- Fiction