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Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead)

Debi Gliori

Cover of Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead)

Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Debi Gliori

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if a single mistake could fill your castle with 500 copies of yourself? Imagine trying to manage all those clones while the roof crashes down around you. Now, what if some very sneaky and not-so-nice contractors want to snatch your home away?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel weaves humor and mild horror as it follows the Strega-Borgia siblings who accidentally clone themselves hundreds of times while dealing with a collapsing castle roof. Set in Scotland, the story explores themes of family chaos and resilience. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains spooky elements balanced with comedic moments, making it engaging without being too intense.

Why we rated Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead) 11LE

Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead) is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead) works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead) 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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, Pure Dead Wicked (Pure Dead) explores family, humor, adventure, 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.
  • Kids drawn to stories about family, humor, adventure.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

211 pages
ISBN
9780440419365
Pages
211
Publisher
Yearling Books
Published
August 12, 2003
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

FamilyHorrorHumorous StoriesCastlesMagicFamily LifeWitches

Places

Scotland