Totally Disgusting!
Bill Wallace
Totally Disgusting!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Bill Wallace
Illustrated by Leslie Morrill
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of wet fur and the soft purrs fill the room as Mewkiss, the tiniest kitten with the biggest heart, curls up close. Suddenly, danger lurks, and everything changes in a flash of courage and quick thinking. Can a little cat make a huge difference when it matters most?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction features Mewkiss, a timid kitten who discovers bravery when his owner's life is in danger. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines animal adventure with themes of courage and loyalty without intense content. Parents can expect a heartwarming story with gentle action and positive messages.
Why we rated Totally Disgusting! 9LE
Totally Disgusting! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Totally Disgusting! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Totally Disgusting! as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Totally Disgusting! explores adventure, animals, friendship, and courage — 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 adventure, animals, friendship.
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
9LE — Light — EmotionalNo 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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416958055
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- January 8, 2008
- Type
- Fiction