9780375832604
Catherine Ryan Hyde
9780375832604
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Catherine Ryan Hyde
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if two teens from completely different worlds found each other in the middle of a big city? Imagine one is all alone, surviving on the streets, while the other hides deep, painful secrets behind a gentle smile. Together, they set off on a journey that could change everything—and nothing will ever be the same.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows two teenagers whose lives intersect unexpectedly in New York City, exploring themes of homelessness, abuse, and resilience. While it contains mature topics such as sexual abuse and poverty, it offers a hopeful message about healing and human connection. Recommended for ages 13 and up, with parental guidance advised due to sensitive content.
Why we rated 9780375832604 11IE
9780375832604 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 226 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, 9780375832604 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate 9780375832604 as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Abuse, Poverty & Homelessness, Runaways.
Thematically, 9780375832604 explores coming of age, friendship, family, social justice, and young adult fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780375832604
- Pages
- 226
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2008
- Type
- Fiction