Blue plate special
Michelle D. Kwasney
Blue plate special
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michelle D. Kwasney
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), 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
Three teenage girls from different generations share their stories through alternating chapters, discovering the power of forgiveness, understanding, and believing in themselves. As their lives intertwine, they each face challenges that help them grow closer to their own identities and to one another. This heartfelt tale explores the bonds between mothers and daughters across time.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include emotional: forgiveness, emotional: self-esteem. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Blue plate special 9LN
Blue plate special is written at a Level 4 reading level across 369 pages (approximately 70,279 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Blue plate special works for readers up to grade 6.0.
Read aloud, Blue plate special runs about 7.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Blue plate special as 9LN ("Light — Neutral") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Forgiveness, Emotional: Self-Esteem.
Thematically, Blue plate special explores forgiveness, self-esteem, mothers and daughters, 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 forgiveness, self-esteem, mothers and daughters.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LN — Light — NeutralLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Belonging
Michelle Miller
Belonging
Michelle Miller
Baby Blue
Michelle D. Kwasney
Baby Blue
Michelle D. Kwasney
Girl Called Blue
Shawna Railey
Girl Called Blue
Shawna Railey
Blue (Bite)
Sue Mayfield
Blue (Bite)
Sue Mayfield
All in the Blue Unclouded Weather
Robin Klein
All in the Blue Unclouded Weather
Robin Klein
Blue Teaching Kit with Book(s) and Other
Gwyneth Tyson Roberts
Blue Teaching Kit with Book(s) and Other
Gwyneth Tyson Roberts
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780811867801
- Pages
- 369
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 70,279
- Read-Aloud
- ~7h 49m
- Text Density
- Standard