School plot
Colin Thompson
School plot
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Colin Thompson
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
Orkward storms across the field, eyes locked on the Floods, the family of witches and wizards who always spoil his plans. The crowd holds its breath as he sets his horrid scheme in motion during the annual sports day. But will his trick work, or has he underestimated the magic at play?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction features a school sports day where a notorious bully, Orkward, plans to outwit a magical family known as the Floods. The story explores themes of bullying and magic in a school setting, suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of mild bullying and fantasy magic elements.
Why we rated School plot 11LE
School plot is written at a Level 6 reading level across 249 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, School plot works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate School plot 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, School plot explores bullying, magic, family, schools, and witches and wizards — 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 bullying, magic, family.
Maybe not for
- ! 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.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061138553
- Pages
- 249
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction