The Bully Book
Eric Kahn Gale
The Bully Book
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eric Kahn Gale
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if the person everyone blames for the bullying is hiding a secret no one expects? Eric Haskins is the new target in sixth grade, and his search for the truth leads him into a tangled mystery where nothing is quite what it seems. Can he uncover the real story before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
The Bully Book follows sixth-grader Eric Haskins as he navigates bullying at school and uncovers surprising truths behind it. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story addresses themes of bullying and school life with a mix of mystery and humor. Parents should note the book sensitively explores the emotional challenges of bullying but does so in a way that encourages understanding and resilience.
Why we rated The Bully Book 11ME
The Bully Book is written at a Level 6 reading level across 230 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Bully Book works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The Bully Book as 11ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Bully Book explores bullying, schools, friendship, coming of age, and mystery — 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 bullying, schools, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 9780062125118
- Pages
- 230
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction