Then Everything Went Wrong
Judd Winick
Then Everything Went Wrong
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
(A Graphic Novel)
by Judd Winick
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
What if the hero you trusted turns out to be the one who needs saving? D.J. and Hilo blast off to a faraway planet to uncover secrets about Hilo’s past, but every answer only brings more questions. Can they piece together the truth before everything falls apart?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade graphic novel combines humor, friendship, and science fiction as Hilo and his friend D.J. explore Hilo’s mysterious home planet. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features action-packed scenes with robots and themes of identity and acceptance. The narrative is engaging and appropriate, with positive messages about friendship and self-discovery.
Why we rated Then Everything Went Wrong 11LE
Then Everything Went Wrong is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Then Everything Went Wrong works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Then Everything Went Wrong 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, Then Everything Went Wrong explores friendship, identity & self-discovery, science & nature, adventure, and robots — 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 friendship, identity & self-discovery, science & nature.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781524714963
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Random House Graphic
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Nonfiction