The Bolds
Julian Clary
The Bolds
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julian Clary
Illustrated by Roberts, David, 1970- illustrator
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if your new neighbors weren't just a little strange but actually hyenas in disguise? Imagine trying to keep their wild secret while blending into human life. Can the Bolds keep their secret safe, or will their wild nature be discovered?
Quick Assessment
The Bolds is a humorous middle-grade fiction about a family of hyenas living undercover as humans. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of secrecy, identity, and neighborly interactions in a lighthearted way. Parents can expect a fun read with gentle comedic elements and no intense content.
Why we rated The Bolds 11C
The Bolds is written at a Level 6 reading level across 263 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Bolds works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Bolds as 11C ("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, The Bolds explores humor, family, secrets, neighbors, and animal characters — 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, family, secrets.
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
11C — 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
- 9781512404401
- Pages
- 263
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction