What reading level is All that was?

All that was by Karen Rivers is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 540L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is All that was appropriate for?

All that was is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is All that was?

All that was is fiction — Young Adult Fiction.

Does All that was have any content warnings?

All that was has a HootRating of 8ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is All that was?

All that was by Karen Rivers is 379 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

All that was

Karen Rivers

All that was

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Novel

by Karen Rivers

Reading Level 3 8ME Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Piper was the brightest star in the sky, and Sloane was lucky to call her best friend. But when Piper suddenly disappears, everything changes—who can you trust when your world feels upside down? This is a story about love, secrets, and learning how to heal when someone you care about is gone.

Themes

FriendshipLoss & GriefComing of Age Family

Quick Assessment

All That Was is a poignant story suitable for early readers about friendship, loss, and forgiveness. It explores complex emotions surrounding the death of a close friend and the impact of betrayal among young children. Parents should note themes of death and emotional struggle, presented in a gentle but honest manner appropriate for ages 5-8.

Why we rated All that was 8ME

All that was is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 540L across 379 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, All that was works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate All that was as 8ME ("Moderate — 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, All that was explores friendship, loss & grief, coming of age, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 friendship, loss & grief, coming of age.

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.