Tom Gates 18
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates 18
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Ten Tremendous Tales
by Liz Pichon
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Tom Gates is the funniest kid you’ll ever meet — and he has a talent for turning everyday chaos into epic adventures. His diary is packed with hilarious doodles and stories about school, family, and friends that prove laughter really is the best way to handle anything. Discover why Tom’s world is as messy as it is unforgettable!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This latest installment in the popular Tom Gates series offers a humorous, illustrated look at the everyday life of a middle-grade boy navigating school, family, and friendships. Suitable for ages 9-12, it blends comedy with relatable themes, making it an engaging read for reluctant and avid readers alike. The book contains light humor and typical childhood antics without any concerning content.
Why we rated Tom Gates 18 11C
Tom Gates 18 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tom Gates 18 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Tom Gates 18 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, Tom Gates 18 explores humor, family, friendship, and siblings — 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 humor, family, friendship.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Tom Gates 11
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates 11
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates 19 : Tom Gates 19 : Random Acts of Fun
Liz Pichon
Tom Gates 19 : Tom Gates 19 : Random Acts of Fun
Liz Pichon
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780702302527
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Nonfiction