And the Winner Is
Cherie Bennett
And the Winner Is
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cherie Bennett
The text is written at a 5th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if winning a big contest was just the start of a wild adventure? Imagine traveling across America with your best friend, revisiting old friends and facing new challenges you never expected. But when secrets start to surface, can you keep your friendship strong and find out who really wins in the end?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows two friends on a post-pageant tour across America, exploring themes of friendship, personal challenges, and growing up. It addresses sensitive topics such as secret pregnancy, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 with some guidance. Parents should be aware of emotional and social themes that may prompt important conversations.
Why we rated And the Winner Is 10ME
And the Winner Is is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, And the Winner Is works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate And the Winner Is as 10ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Emotional: Loss & Grief.
Thematically, And the Winner Is explores friendship, coming of age, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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
10ME — Moderate — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Southern Girls
Cherie Bennett
Southern Girls
Cherie Bennett
Winner takes all
Jenny Santana
Winner takes all
Jenny Santana
The contest
Caroline Stellings
The contest
Caroline Stellings
Win
Jp Sauceda
Win
Jp Sauceda
Contest
Michèle Dufresne
Contest
Michèle Dufresne
Winning Is Everything (Full House Stephanie)
Cameron Dokey
Winning Is Everything (Full House Stephanie)
Cameron Dokey
Details
- ISBN
- 9780613170826
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 1999
- Type
- Fiction