Breakup Lists
Adib Khorram
Breakup Lists
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Adib Khorram
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp click of stage lights buzzes overhead, mingling with the rustle of scripts and whispered backstage secrets. Jackson, the quiet tech wizard behind the scenes, never expected the spotlight—or his heart—to be captured by Liam, the dazzling swim captain and lead actor. But when love gets messy and the theater fills with whispers, Jackson wonders if some breakups are harder to list than others.
Quick Assessment
Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram is a middle-grade novel that explores young love and self-discovery through the lens of high school theater. The story features a diverse cast and addresses themes of identity, friendship, and the complexities of relationships in a humorous yet heartfelt way. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild romantic themes and some emotional moments related to breakups and family dynamics.
Why we rated Breakup Lists 12LE
Breakup Lists is written at a Level 7 reading level across 328 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Breakup Lists works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Breakup Lists as 12LE ("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, Breakup Lists explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The break-up artist
Philip Siegel
The break-up artist
Philip Siegel
Breaking up is really, really hard to do
Natalie Standiford
Breaking up is really, really hard to do
Natalie Standiford
Breakup blues
Heather Alexander
Breakup blues
Heather Alexander
Breaking up
Ailsa Burns
Breaking up
Ailsa Burns
The break-up diaries
Nikki Carter
The break-up diaries
Nikki Carter
Breakdown
Sarah Mussi
Breakdown
Sarah Mussi
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780593700297
- Pages
- 328
- Publisher
- Dial
- Published
- 2024
- Type
- Fiction