About David
Susan Beth Pfeffer
About David
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The sharp clang of the front door echoes through the empty house, a chilling silence following. Lynn's heart pounds as she tries to make sense of the sudden darkness that has swallowed her world. The loss feels heavy and cold, but it’s only the beginning of a story she must face.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the aftermath of a tragic event where a teenager’s close friend commits a shocking act of violence and suicide. It sensitively addresses themes of grief, trauma, and family struggles, suitable for mature readers ages 9-12 who can handle complex emotional content. Parents should be aware of its depiction of suicide and death, which is thoughtfully but realistically portrayed.
Why we rated About David 9IE
About David is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 167 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, About David works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate About David as 9IE ("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: Suicide, Death, Family Problems.
Thematically, About David explores family, adoption & foster care, loss & grief, and mental health — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, adoption & foster care, loss & grief.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0440000939
- Pages
- 167
- Publisher
- Delacorte Press
- Published
- 1980
- Type
- Fiction