What reading level is Science fair?

Science fair by Dave Barry is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 770L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Science fair appropriate for?

Science fair is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Science fair?

Science fair is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Science fair have any content warnings?

Science fair has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Science fair?

Science fair by Dave Barry is 400 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Science fair

Dave Barry

Science fair

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

a story of mystery, danger, international suspense, and a very nervous frog

by Dave Barry

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Toby Harbinger races through the halls of Hubble Middle School, clutching his science project as secret agents lurk nearby. Suddenly, alarms blare—someone has discovered the spy plot hidden within the fair! What will Toby do when the fate of the country hangs in the balance?

Themes

Humor Adventure FriendshipSchool LifeScience & Nature

Quick Assessment

This humorous middle-grade novel follows Toby Harbinger, a typical student who enters his school's science fair unaware of a secret plot by foreign agents to take over the government. With lighthearted suspense and school-based adventures, it suits readers aged 9-12 and contains no mature content. Parents can expect an entertaining story about determination and unexpected heroism.

Why we rated Science fair 9LE

Science fair is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 770L across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Science fair works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Science fair 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, Science fair explores humor, adventure, friendship, school life, and science & nature — 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, adventure, friendship.