Breaking up
Frank Willmott
Breaking up
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frank Willmott
The text is written at a 4th 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
Mark’s year is nothing like you’d expect — his family is breaking apart, but he’s still trying to figure out school, friends, and girls. He writes it all down in his diary, showing that even when life feels upside down, you can find your own way forward. And that’s a story everyone needs to hear.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows fifteen-year-old Mark as he navigates the challenges of family breakup alongside everyday school and friendship experiences. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses family change and personal growth without graphic content, making it a thoughtful read for children encountering similar situations.
Why we rated Breaking up 9ME
Breaking up is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breaking up works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Breaking up as 9ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Breaking up explores family, friendship, schools, and multicultural — 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 family, friendship, schools.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 0001840444
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction