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)
(2) Sea Level
Nothing to fear here, Shmoopers. Gary Paulsen's writing about something that's easy to access and understand: his love for dogs. Even if you're not a dog-lover yourself, you'll get exactly where he's coming from. He writes in short sentences, using plain language, so the text itself is easy-peasy. (Actually, Paulsen's books, including this one, are often recommended for "reluctant readers"—that's secret teacher code for "kids who don't like to read.") There's so much action, personality, and laughs in these stories that the pages fly by.