The BFF bucket list
Dee Romito
The BFF bucket list
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dee Romito
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
Best friends don’t always stay best friends, but Skylar and Ella are about to prove that a bucket list can change everything. With daring challenges and heartfelt moments, their friendship faces its biggest test yet — and what happens next could change how they see each other forever.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complexities of childhood friendships through the story of Skylar and Ella, who try to reconnect by completing a 'BFF Bucket List.' It thoughtfully addresses themes of change and emotional growth appropriate for readers ages 9-12. Parents should know the story handles friendship struggles with warmth and positivity, without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated The BFF bucket list 11LE
The BFF bucket list is written at a Level 6 reading level across 235 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The BFF bucket list works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The BFF bucket list 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, The BFF bucket list explores friendship, coming of age, family, and humor — 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, coming of age, family.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481446426
- Pages
- 235
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction