Rotten School #6
Robert Lawrence Stine
Rotten School #6
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Heinie Prize (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 is sneaking through the halls, trying to make sure Belzer wins the Most Outstanding Student award. But when his plan starts to backfire, chaos erupts in the middle of the school assembly. What will Bernie do next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This humorous middle-grade book follows fourth-grader Bernie Bridges as he concocts a scheme to help his friend Belzer win a school award, leading to unexpected and funny consequences. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers lighthearted school life adventures with themes of friendship and social dynamics. Parents should note the book contains typical schoolyard mischief and mild comic situations.
Why we rated Rotten School #6 9LE
Rotten School #6 is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 110 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rotten School #6 works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Rotten School #6 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 #6 explores school & education, humor, friendship, and social themes — 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 school & education, humor, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780060788155
- Pages
- 110
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- April 25, 2006
- Type
- Fiction