Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle
Zac Gorman
Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Zac Gorman
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if you had to race through a dangerous dungeon filled with monsters to save your home? Thisby Thestoop, the brave gamekeeper, faces the Wretched Scrattle—a wild and deadly contest where the winner becomes the ruler of the Black Mountain. Can she survive the chaos and claim her kingdom back before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows Thisby Thestoop, a gamekeeper striving to protect a magical dungeon from chaos and deadly attacks. Packed with humor, magic, and a diverse cast of monsters, the story explores themes of bravery and responsibility suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note some mild peril and fantasy violence as Thisby navigates political intrigue and dangerous contests.
Why we rated Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle 12MP
Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle as 12MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Thisby Thestoop and the Wretched Scrattle explores fantasy world-building, adventure, humor, monsters, and magic — 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062495723
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction