Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The homework strike
Gregory K. Pincus
The homework strike
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gregory K. Pincus
The text is written at a 4th 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
Gregory K. is the bravest kid in seventh grade because he dares to stop doing homework—and it changes everything. When his teachers and classmates notice, he discovers that standing up for what matters can shake up the whole school. But will his homework strike make a difference or backfire?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Gregory K., a seventh grader who decides to protest his overwhelming homework to make time for his true passion: writing. Encouraged by his history teacher, Gregory learns important lessons about civic engagement and self-advocacy. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of family life, school dynamics, and peaceful protest without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated The homework strike 9LE
The homework strike is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 790L across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The homework strike works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The homework strike as 9LE ("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 homework strike explores protest movements, family, middle school, juvenile fiction, and civic engagement — 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 protest movements, family, middle school.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439913010
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Arthur A. Levine Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 790L