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

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly by Jim Benton is at a Level 6-7 reading level (Lexile 990L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

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

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly have any content warnings?

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly has a HootRating of 11C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

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

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly by Jim Benton is 120 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

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

Jim Benton

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

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Jim Benton's tales from Mackerel Middle School

by Jim Benton

Reading Level 6-7 11C 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.

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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 11C

The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 990L across 120 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate The problem with here is that it's where I'm from, by Jamie Kelly 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 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about schools, humor, diaries.

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.