The epic fail of Arturo Zamora
Pablo Cartaya
The epic fail of Arturo Zamora
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Pablo Cartaya
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
What would you do if your family's restaurant and your whole neighborhood were in danger? Arturo Zamora thought summer was all about basketball and mango smoothies, but when a tricky developer arrives, he must step up to protect what he loves. Can Arturo save his community and maybe even win Carmen's heart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows thirteen-year-old Arturo Zamora as he navigates family responsibilities, community challenges, and first love during a Miami summer. It thoughtfully explores themes of cultural heritage, community activism, and the importance of family through a relatable and engaging story suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book contains mild social conflict related to community displacement but handles it with warmth and humor.
Why we rated The epic fail of Arturo Zamora 11LS
The epic fail of Arturo Zamora is written at a Level 6 reading level across 236 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The epic fail of Arturo Zamora works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The epic fail of Arturo Zamora as 11LS ("Light — Social") 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 epic fail of Arturo Zamora explores family, multicultural, community, coming of age, and social justice — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, multicultural, community.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LS — Light — SocialLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781101997239
- Pages
- 236
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction