Struck by lightning
Chris Colfer
Struck by lightning
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Carson Phillips Journal
by Chris Colfer
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
Carson Phillips is not your average high school senior—he’s a master of blackmail! When he convinces the coolest kids to join his literary journal, he’s got one goal: get into Northwestern and become a famous editor. But what happens when secrets and schemes start to unravel? That’s where things get really interesting.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Struck By Lightning is a witty and darkly humorous middle-grade novel about Carson Phillips, an outcast high school senior who uses blackmail to get popular students to contribute to his literary journal. The story explores themes of ambition, social dynamics, and high school pressures, suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of extortion as a plot device but framed in a comedic and thought-provoking way.
Why we rated Struck by lightning 11LE
Struck by lightning is written at a Level 6 reading level across 258 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Struck by lightning works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Struck by lightning 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, Struck by lightning explores humor, high school, friendship, ambition, and social dynamics — 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 humor, high school, friendship.
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
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
- 9780316232951
- Pages
- 258
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction