The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly

Name: The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly
Author: Jim Benton
ISBN: 9780439796224

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Jim Benton's tales from Mackerel Middle School

by Jim Benton

Reading Level 6-7 C · Gentle Ages 9-12 Sweet Spot

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. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

Jamie Kelly’s diary is not just any diary—it’s a hilariously honest confession that school life is a wild rollercoaster. She tells it like it is, with all the funny, awkward, and totally real moments that make middle school unforgettable. And trust her—getting through it all is way harder than it looks!

Themes

SchoolsHumorDiariesMiddle SchoolFictionComing of Age

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Jamie Kelly as she navigates the ups and downs of school and growing up through her diary entries. The story is humorous and relatable, offering insight into typical pre-teen experiences without heavy or inappropriate content. Suitable for ages 9-12, it encourages empathy and self-expression through a lighthearted, diary-style narrative.

Why we rated The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly C (Gentle)

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 120 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly as C (Gentle) 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 problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly explores schools, humor, diaries, middle school, and fiction — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about schools, humor, diaries.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?