A morning like this
Deborah Bedford
A morning like this
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Deborah Bedford
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What happens when secrets tear a family apart, and a little girl’s life hangs in the balance? Imagine two families facing heartbreak and betrayal, yet bound together by hope and the chance for forgiveness. Can they find the strength to heal before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores complex family dynamics involving infidelity, illness, and forgiveness through a faith-based lens. It sensitively portrays the struggles of two families connected by a sick child needing a bone marrow transplant. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of mature themes like adultery and family secrets that are handled thoughtfully.
Why we rated A morning like this 12IE
A morning like this is written at a Level 7 reading level across 395 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A morning like this works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate A morning like this as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. 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: Adultery, Illness.
Thematically, A morning like this explores family, forgiveness, faith, illness & injury, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 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 family, forgiveness, faith.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 1587243318
- Pages
- 395
- Publisher
- Wheeler Publishing, Incorporated
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction