Breaking up is hard to do
Edward Gorman
Breaking up is hard to do
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edward Gorman
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Amid the looming threat of nuclear disaster, a determined private investigator races to prove the innocence of his rival's daughter, who faces a shocking murder accusation. Set against the tense backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, this gripping mystery unravels secrets and tests loyalties in a high-stakes battle for justice.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, realistic violence, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Breaking up is hard to do 9ME
Breaking up is hard to do is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 207 pages (approximately 55,424 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breaking up is hard to do works for readers up to grade 6.6.
Read aloud, Breaking up is hard to do runs about 6.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Breaking up is hard to do 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Realistic Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Breaking up is hard to do explores mystery, historical, family, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, historical, family.
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
9ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0786712961
- Pages
- 207
- Publisher
- Carroll & Graf Pub
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 55,424
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 9m
- Text Density
- Dense