What reading level is Before we go extinct?

Before we go extinct by Karen Rivers is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Before we go extinct appropriate for?

Before we go extinct is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Suicide.

What genre is Before we go extinct?

Before we go extinct is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Before we go extinct have any content warnings?

Before we go extinct has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Suicide. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Before we go extinct?

Before we go extinct by Karen Rivers is 252 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Before we go extinct

Karen Rivers

Before we go extinct

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Novel

by Karen Rivers

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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 salty breeze carries whispers of memories from an empty beach resort, where waves crash against forgotten shores. Sharkey feels the weight of silence after losing his best friend in a sudden, mysterious moment. As the summer stretches on, he searches for answers and healing beneath the sun and sky.

Themes

Friendship FamilyGriefSocial Issues

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel explores themes of grief and friendship as a boy named Sharkey copes with the loss of his best friend under uncertain circumstances. Set on an abandoned beach resort where his father works, the story gently addresses emotional healing and family relationships, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should be aware of sensitive topics like suicide handled with care.

Why we rated Before we go extinct 9IE

Before we go extinct is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 252 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Before we go extinct works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Before we go extinct as 9IE ("Intense — 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: Suicide.

Thematically, Before we go extinct explores friendship, family, grief, and social issues — 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 friendship, family, grief.

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.