Sidesplitters
Kingfisher
Sidesplitters
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Joke a Day
by Kingfisher
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The room bursts with laughter as you read the joke about the sneaky raccoon stealing snacks. Suddenly, a new joke pops up about a school prank that goes hilariously wrong—can you guess how it ends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Sidesplitters offers a joke a day for kids ages 9-12, featuring a wide range of fun topics from animals to school life. Each joke is accompanied by engaging black-and-white illustrations, making it a lighthearted and age-appropriate choice for middle-grade readers looking to enjoy humor throughout the year.
Why we rated Sidesplitters 9C
Sidesplitters is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Sidesplitters works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Sidesplitters as 9C ("Clear") 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, Sidesplitters weaves together humor and juvenile nonfiction.
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 humor, juvenile nonfiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo 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
- 9780330513043
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction