Apple and Rain
Sarah Crossan
Apple and Rain
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Crossan
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
Apple’s heart pounds as the door creaks open—after eleven years, her mother is finally back. But why did she leave on that stormy Christmas Eve? Just when Apple thinks she might find answers, a secret about her younger sister Rain turns everything upside down.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores complex family dynamics through the story of Apple, whose mother returns after a long absence. The book sensitively addresses themes of abandonment, forgiveness, and healing, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should be aware that it deals with emotional topics related to family separation and reconciliation.
Why we rated Apple and Rain 12ME
Apple and Rain is written at a Level 7 reading level across 352 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Apple and Rain works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Apple and Rain as 12ME ("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, Apple and Rain explores family, coming of age, mothers and daughters, and friendship — 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, coming of age, mothers and daughters.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
- 9781681190730
- Pages
- 352
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury USA Childrens
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction