Rotten Teeth
Laura Simms
Rotten Teeth
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laura Simms
Illustrated by David Catrow
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if bringing something totally gross to show-and-tell made you the most popular kid in class? Imagine Melissa, who’s nervous about talking in front of everyone, surprising them all with a huge bottle of real pulled teeth from her dad’s dental office. But can she handle all the attention and keep her cool?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This humorous early reader follows Melissa, a reluctant speaker who brings a jar of real pulled teeth from her father’s dental office to school for show-and-tell. It explores themes of confidence and school experiences suitable for children aged 5 to 8. The story contains light humor and mild social anxiety but is gentle and appropriate for young readers.
Why we rated Rotten Teeth 7LE
Rotten Teeth is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Rotten Teeth works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate Rotten Teeth as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Rotten Teeth explores humor, school & education, friendship, confidence, and early reader — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about humor, school & education, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
- 9780613907224
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- August 2002
- Type
- Fiction