What it feels like to be a bully
Susan Miracle Brown
What it feels like to be a bully
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Miracle Brown
Illustrated by Mayne, Michael, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if you could step inside the shoes of a bully and discover why they act the way they do? Imagine seeing the world from their point of view, where feelings get tangled and choices matter more than you think. Could understanding their story change everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book explores the perspective of a child who is a bully, helping young readers understand the emotions and reasons behind bullying behavior. Suitable for ages 5-8, it promotes empathy and social awareness in a gentle, age-appropriate way without graphic content. Parents should know it addresses bullying thoughtfully to encourage conversations about kindness and respect.
Why we rated What it feels like to be a bully 7LE
What it feels like to be a bully is written at a Level 2 reading level across 17 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What it feels like to be a bully works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What it feels like to be a bully as 7LE ("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, What it feels like to be a bully explores bullying, friendship, emotions, and social awareness — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about bullying, friendship, emotions.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780976012993
- Pages
- 17
- Publisher
- Avant Garde Publishing
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction