The Bakersville Dozen
Kristina McBride
The Bakersville Dozen
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kristina McBride
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Bailey’s locker clicks open to reveal a mysterious note: a scavenger hunt with deadly rules. She races through town, heart pounding, when suddenly she stumbles upon the first missing girl’s secret—and a chilling envelope that changes everything. Who can she trust when the clock is ticking and the danger is closer than ever?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a small town shaken by a series of disappearances linked to a viral scandal, this middle-grade thriller follows Bailey as she navigates a dangerous scavenger hunt with life-or-death stakes. The story includes themes of kidnapping, mystery, and social pressure, and contains suspenseful moments that may be intense for younger readers. Recommended for ages 9-12, with mature themes handled within a thrilling narrative.
Why we rated The Bakersville Dozen 12ME
The Bakersville Dozen is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Bakersville Dozen works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Bakersville Dozen as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Kidnapping, Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The Bakersville Dozen explores mystery, adventure, friendship, social customs, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781510708051
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Sky Pony
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction