Zack Delacruz
Jeff Anderson
Zack Delacruz
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
me and my big mouth
by Jeff Anderson
Illustrated by Miller, Andrea (Andrea Cecelia), illustrator
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The chatter and laughter of the school halls buzz around Zack, but he's mostly invisible—until today. The sharp sting of teasing cuts through the noise, and Zack suddenly feels the weight of standing up to the biggest bully in school. Now, with everyone watching, he’s got to find a way to save the dance and prove courage comes in all sizes.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Zack Delacruz as he navigates bullying, leadership challenges, and responsibility in sixth grade. When Zack unexpectedly confronts the school bully and is tasked with organizing the dance fundraiser alongside him, he faces new pressures and learns important lessons about bravery and teamwork. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story addresses bullying and social dynamics in a relatable and age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Zack Delacruz 9LE
Zack Delacruz is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 162 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Zack Delacruz works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Zack Delacruz as 9LE ("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, Zack Delacruz explores bullying, friendship, middle school, fundraising, and coming of age — 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 bullying, friendship, middle school.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781454914990
- Pages
- 162
- Publisher
- Sterling Children's Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction