Pretty Bad Things
C. J. Skuse
Pretty Bad Things
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by C. J. Skuse
The text is written at a 6th 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
Paisley and Beau are the 'Wonder Twins'—famous for surviving alone in the woods. Now, they're on a wild road trip across Vegas, causing chaos and chasing a chance to be seen again. But what will happen when their past catches up with them?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows siblings Paisley and Beau, who, after a difficult family history and their mother's death, embark on a rebellious road trip in Las Vegas. The story explores themes of family, loss, and identity, with some mild references to crime and missing persons. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains light peril and emotional moments but no graphic content.
Why we rated Pretty Bad Things 11LE
Pretty Bad Things is written at a Level 6 reading level across 258 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pretty Bad Things works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Pretty Bad Things as 11LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Loss & Grief, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Pretty Bad Things explores brothers and sisters, twins, family, adventure, and missing persons — 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 brothers and sisters, twins, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545389020
- Pages
- 258
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction