Planet of the Nose Pickers
Gordon Korman
Planet of the Nose Pickers
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gordon Korman
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Earth is in danger of being banished to the cold edges of space — but Devin's friend Stan is not your average exchange student. He's an alien with a mission to save Earth by making it Pan's top vacation spot. If they fail, Earth could be lost forever, and the adventure is just getting started.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book follows Devin and his alien friend Stan as they try to protect Earth from being displaced in the solar system. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines humor and science fiction themes with light adventure. The story includes imaginative extraterrestrial elements but contains no intense content, making it appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated Planet of the Nose Pickers 9C
Planet of the Nose Pickers is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 140 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Planet of the Nose Pickers works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Planet of the Nose Pickers 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, Planet of the Nose Pickers explores friendship, adventure, science & nature, and fantasy world-building — 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 friendship, adventure, science & nature.
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
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The planet thieves
Dan Krokos
The planet thieves
Dan Krokos
Ultimate Nose Pickers Collection, The
Gordon Korman
Ultimate Nose Pickers Collection, The
Gordon Korman
Monster Planet
Sally Odgers
Monster Planet
Sally Odgers
Your mummy is a nose picker
Gordon Korman
Your mummy is a nose picker
Gordon Korman
Friends and Foes
Eddie Pittman
Friends and Foes
Eddie Pittman
The dog's dinner
Jonny Moon
The dog's dinner
Jonny Moon
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780786825714
- Pages
- 140
- Publisher
- Hyperion Books for Children
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction