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Tough-O-Meter

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)

(1) Sea Level

Lace up your day hikers, Shmoopsters, 'cause Bud, Not Buddy is a walk in the park. It's easy to read and easy to follow, though it does have a more complicated narrative set-up than some other young adult literature. Curtis also uses a lot of similes and descriptive language, so you should be ready for some poetic language here and there.