The Report Card
Andrew Clements
The Report Card
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Andrew Clements
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
Nora stares at the blank report card, her heart racing as she prepares to shake up the whole school. What if no one cares about grades anymore? But when her secret plan starts to spread, who will stand with her—and who will try to stop her?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Nora Rowley, a gifted fifth grader who chooses to hide her intelligence to fit in. When she challenges the importance of grades, it sparks unexpected reactions among her peers and teachers. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of self-acceptance and the pressures of academic performance in a lighthearted, engaging way.
Why we rated The Report Card 9LE
The Report Card is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 173 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Report Card works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Report Card 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 Report Card explores school life, friendship, coming of age, and family — 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 school life, friendship, coming of age.
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439906784
- Pages
- 173
- Publisher
- SCHOLASTIC, INC.
- Published
- Jun 30, 2006
- Type
- Fiction