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)
(4) Base Camp
The Rules of Survival isn't the kind of book that's bogged down by flowery language and difficult-to-follow syntax… but it isn't for the inexperienced young reader, either. The book may have deceptively simple language, but the topics tackled within are for readers with a stronger stomach. As it's told from Matthew Walsh's perspective, the story spares no details in portraying Nikki Walsh and all of her terrible behavior and abuse. It's hard to read about how she abuses and mistreats her children, and so readers should go in prepared for some frightening scenes.