Best of friends
David Roth
Best of friends
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Profiles of Extraordinary Friendships
by David Roth
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Have you ever wondered why sometimes brothers just don’t get along? Matt is about to spend the summer alone, falling for a mysterious girl and uncovering secrets about his family that change everything. What will he discover about his brother and himself before the summer ends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Matt as he navigates a summer away from his parents, exploring first love and complicated family dynamics, particularly his strained relationship with his older brother. Suitable for ages 9-12, it touches on themes of family life and personal growth with emotional depth but without intense content.
Why we rated Best of friends 11LE
Best of friends is written at a Level 6 reading level across 200 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Best of friends works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Best of friends as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Best of friends explores family, brotherhood, coming of age, and romance — 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, brotherhood, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Brothers like friends
Klaus Kordon
Brothers like friends
Klaus Kordon
Brothers
David McPhail
Brothers
David McPhail
Best of Friends
Nicole Callaway
Best of Friends
Nicole Callaway
Brothers & Sisters
Maxine B. Rosenberg
Brothers & Sisters
Maxine B. Rosenberg
Best friends
Jamie Suzanne
Best friends
Jamie Suzanne
Best Bro
Erica David
Best Bro
Erica David
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0395338891
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- William Morrow
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction