I loved this book as a kid. I think I was about 12 when I first read this. Yes, the writing style is for a younger audience and while many reviewers have brought out the fact that there is a lot of filler and running around throughout the story, I would add that the relationships with the characters continue to build throughout the series. You really grow to love them all. Granted, I was young when I read this series of books and had I read the series at an older age for the first time, my opinion may have much differed. That being said, I very much enjoyed the stories as a youth.