The summer of bad ideas
Kiera Stewart
The summer of bad ideas
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kiera Stewart
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
Here's a secret: Edie and her cousin Rae have found a wild list of 'Good Ideas for Summertime' left by their grandma—but guess what? Most of these ideas sound totally bonkers! What happens when following these crazy plans is the only way Edie can become as brave as she dreams? That's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Edie and her cousin Rae as they tackle a quirky list of summer challenges left by their late grandmother. The story explores themes of family, courage, and self-discovery through fun, sometimes reckless adventures. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book offers lighthearted humor and positive messages about taking risks and growing up.
Why we rated The summer of bad ideas 11LE
The summer of bad ideas is written at a Level 6 reading level across 296 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The summer of bad ideas works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The summer of bad ideas as 11LE ("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 summer of bad ideas explores family, friendship, coming of age, humor, and adventure — 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 family, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780062360212
- Pages
- 296
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction