Before We Were Blue
E. J. Schwartz
Before We Were Blue
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by E. J. Schwartz
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What happens when two teens meet in a place meant for healing but find themselves tangled in a bond that pulls them both deeper? Shoshana and Rowan share secrets and struggles inside the walls of a treatment center, where every choice feels like a battle. Can they find a way to heal, or will their connection keep them stuck in the past?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the intense and complex friendship between two teens in an eating disorder treatment center. It sensitively addresses themes of mental health, body image, and the challenges of recovery, making it appropriate for readers aged 13 and up. Parents should be aware of the emotionally heavy content related to eating disorders and the nuanced depiction of a same-sex friendship.
Why we rated Before We Were Blue 11IE
Before We Were Blue is written at a Level 6 reading level across 253 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Before We Were Blue works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Before We Were Blue as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Eating Disorders, Mental Health.
Thematically, Before We Were Blue explores friendship, mental health, lgbtq+ representation, eating disorders & body image, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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, mental health, lgbtq+ representation.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781635830705
- Pages
- 253
- Publisher
- North Star Editions, Inc.
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction