Poop fountain!
Tom Angleberger
Poop fountain!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Qwikpick Papers
by Tom Angleberger
Illustrated by Wang, Jen, 1984- illustrator
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
This isn't just any fountain—it's a poop fountain, and it's about to be shut down forever! Three friends sneak into the old sewage plant to see it one last time, uncovering hilarious secrets along the way. What strange surprises will this stinky adventure bring?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows three friends as they explore their town's outdated sewage treatment plant on Christmas Day to witness the final moments of the quirky 'poop fountain.' The story combines humor and friendship with an unusual setting, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the focus on bathroom humor and themes of curiosity and adventure.
Why we rated Poop fountain! 9C
Poop fountain! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 134 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Poop fountain! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Poop fountain! 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, Poop fountain! explores humor, friendship, adventure, and fiction — 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 humor, friendship, adventure.
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.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781419704253
- Pages
- 134
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction