Because of the sun
Jenny Torres Sanchez
Because of the sun
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jenny Torres Sanchez
The text is written at a 6th 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
The dry desert air smells like sagebrush and dust as Dani steps off the bus into a new life under the blazing sun. Every sound feels sharper here—whispers of old family secrets mixed with the quiet ache inside her heart. She's searching for answers about her mom and herself, but the sun’s glare hides more than it reveals.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Because of the Sun follows seventeen-year-old Dani as she navigates complicated feelings of grief and loss after her mother’s death. Relocated to New Mexico to live with an aunt she barely knows, Dani confronts family tensions and her own identity struggles. This middle-grade novel sensitively explores themes of mourning and family dynamics, suitable for ages 9-12.
Why we rated Because of the sun 11ME
Because of the sun is written at a Level 6 reading level across 261 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Because of the sun works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Because of the sun as 11ME ("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, Because of the sun explores grief, family, coming of age, and adoption & foster care — 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 grief, family, 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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
- 9780399551451
- Pages
- 261
- Publisher
- Delacorte Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction