Stuffed
Liz Braswell
Stuffed
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Liz Braswell
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
The soft, worn fabric of Foon’s sock body smells faintly of lavender and love, a scent that fills the room with warmth. Night after night, these stuffed friends come to life, standing guard against shadows no one else can see. What if the fate of Clark’s family depends on a tiny, handmade hero’s courage?
Quick Assessment
Stuffed is a middle-grade fantasy novel about Clark, an almost eleven-year-old boy who finds comfort and bravery in his collection of stuffed animals. When a dark monster threatens his family, only his magical toys can protect them. This story explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the challenges of growing up, suitable for readers aged 9-12 with mild tension involving monsters and bullying.
Why we rated Stuffed 11LE
Stuffed is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Stuffed works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Stuffed 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, Stuffed explores friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building, and coming of age — 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 friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781368037013
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction