Rotten School #12
Robert Lawrence Stine
Rotten School #12
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Battle of the Dum Diddys (Rotten School)
by Robert Lawrence Stine
Illustrated by Trip Park
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Bernie Bridges is about to discover that Rotten School isn’t just a place for homework and recess—it’s a battlefield where friends turn into fearless warriors and princesses! When everyone starts acting like they're inside a video game, Bernie knows something wild is going on. But can he outsmart the richest kid in school before the game becomes real and changes everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This humorous middle-grade fiction follows Bernie Bridges as he uncovers a playful yet intense video game rivalry taking over his school. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, imagination, and school social dynamics with lighthearted humor. Parents should note the story includes mild conflict and playful competition but nothing inappropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Rotten School #12 9LE
Rotten School #12 is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 114 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rotten School #12 works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Rotten School #12 as 9LE ("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, Rotten School #12 explores humor, school, friendship, 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 humor, school, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780060788346
- Pages
- 114
- Publisher
- HarperColl
- Published
- April 24, 2007
- Type
- Fiction