Being Fishkill
Ruth Lehrer
Being Fishkill
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ruth Lehrer
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Fishkill Carmel isn’t your average kid—she was born in a moving car and has learned to fight for every inch of her life. When her tough exterior meets the unstoppable optimism of Duck-Duck Farina, everything starts to change. But can this new friendship hold strong when the past comes crashing back?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenging realities of a young girl, Carmel Fishkill, who faces instability, family struggles, and poverty. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles themes of abandonment, resilience, and the search for belonging with emotional depth. Parents should be aware of sensitive topics such as family dysfunction and tragedy portrayed thoughtfully within the story.
Why we rated Being Fishkill 12IE
Being Fishkill is written at a Level 7 reading level across 312 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Being Fishkill works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Being Fishkill as 12IE ("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: Family Problems, Poverty, Abandoned Children, Tragic Events.
Thematically, Being Fishkill explores family, poverty, abandonment, friendship, and coming of age — 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 family, poverty, abandonment.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — 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
12IE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780763684426
- Pages
- 312
- Publisher
- Candlewick Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction