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Cover of The Terrible Two

Age rating and parents' guide:The Terrible Two

by Mac Barnett & Jory John

Ages 9–11

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett & Jory John is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.

When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he expects to quickly claim his title as the school's top trickster. To his surprise, the town already has an undercover prank genius of its own. Encourages young readers to reflect on belonging and being a good friend.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
None
Scary moments
None
Romance
None
Bad language
None
Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Early chapter book
  • ★Part of the Terrible Two series
  • ★Easy to get into from the first page
  • ★Plenty of illustrations
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Great for kids who like

  • School life
  • Friendship

Reading mood

  • Playful

Good to talk about

  • Friendship
  • School life

Books like The Terrible Two

Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.

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    Ages 9–11

    The Hundred Dresses

    by Eleanor Estes

    Wanda Petronski is a quiet Polish girl who wears the same faded blue dress to school every day, yet insists she has one hundred beautiful dresses lined up in her closet. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

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  • Cover of The Boy at the Back of the Class

    Ages 9–14

    The Boy at the Back of the Class

    by Onjali Q. Rauf

    When nine-year-old Ahmet arrives in their classroom, an empty seat at the back is finally filled. He does not speak English and rarely smiles, but a determined group of classmates soon discovers that he is a refugee who fled war in Syria and became separated from his family. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.

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  • Cover of Billionaire Boy

    Ages 9–11

    Billionaire Boy

    by David Walliams

    Joe Spud has everything a twelve-year-old could ever dream of, including his own Formula One car and a cinema in his house, thanks to his dad's fortune from inventing a new toilet roll. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.

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  • Cover of Ramona Quimby, Age 8

    Ages 6–11

    Ramona Quimby, Age 8

    by Beverly Cleary

    Eight-year-old Ramona Quimby is starting third grade at a brand-new school, determined to prove she can be sensible and grown-up. Between riding the bus on her own, dealing with an embarrassing raw egg incident at lunchtime, and navigating changes at home while her father goes back to college, life rarely goes according to plan. Encourages children to share their own family stories and feelings.

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  • Cover of Each Kindness

    Ages 6–11

    Each Kindness

    by Jacqueline Woodson

    Chloe and her friends repeatedly shut out Maya, a new girl at school whose clothes are worn and who plays alone. Each time Maya tries to join in, she is met with cold stares and laughter. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.

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  • Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Ages 9–11

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    by Jeff Kinney

    Greg Heffley is starting middle school, where undersized weaklings like him share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. To survive, he records his daily misadventures, family annoyances, and flawed plans for popularity in an illustrated journal. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.

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On these book lists

  • Funny books for kids
  • Books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is The Terrible Two for?
The Terrible Two suits children aged 9–11. It is an early chapter book: easy to get into from the first page, plenty of illustrations.
Q: Is The Terrible Two appropriate for a 9 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 9–11. It has no violence, nothing scary, no romance and no bad language.
Q: Is The Terrible Two part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Terrible Two series. If your child enjoys it, the other Terrible Two books are the easiest next step.
Q: What should my child read after The Terrible Two?
Try The Hundred Dresses, The Boy at the Back of the Class and Billionaire Boy. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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