We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(3) Base Camp
With straightforward language and a simple plot, Bullyville should be a breeze for most readers. The emotions it explores are where it gets more difficult—characters don't always behave in ways you might expect, and sometimes their motivations are hard to understand. The narrator, Bart, deals with some super complex emotional combos, including grief that's tinged with guilt and anger, and fear that's mixed with resentment. The book also touches on a difficult, emotional event in American history—the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001—so while the hike may be easy, get ready to shoulder an emotional load.