Being
Kevin Brooks
Being
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kevin Brooks
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
Robert’s heart pounds as he clutches a stolen automatic, the strange images from inside his body playing over and over in his mind. Nothing about him fits what the doctors expected, and now he’s on the run, desperate to uncover the truth about who he really is. But every step forward draws him deeper into danger—what will he find next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This suspenseful middle-grade novel follows Robert, a boy whose mysterious internal anatomy leads him on a tense journey to discover his identity. The story includes themes of self-discovery and features scenes of violence that may be intense for younger readers. Recommended for ages 9-12 with guidance due to its mature themes and suspenseful content.
Why we rated Being 12ME
Being is written at a Level 7 reading level across 323 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Being works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Being 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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence.
Thematically, Being explores identity, suspense, coming of age, and adventure — 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 identity, suspense, 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.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! 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.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780439899734
- Pages
- 323
- Publisher
- Chicken House
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction