Broken date
Robert Lawrence Stine
Broken date
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Lawrence Stine
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
Here's a secret: Jamie thought everything was perfect with Tom—until he suddenly breaks their special date. But that’s only the beginning, because now Jamie faces something much scarier than a broken promise.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade horror story follows Jamie as her boyfriend Tom unexpectedly breaks a date and begins to stalk and threaten her, introducing themes of fear and personal safety. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains suspenseful and frightening elements typical of the horror genre but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Broken date 9ME
Broken date is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 150 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Broken date works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Broken date 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Stalking, Threats.
Thematically, Broken date explores horror, suspense, friendship, and coming of age — 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 horror, suspense, friendship.
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.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780671693220
- Pages
- 150
- Publisher
- Simon Pulse
- Published
- 1988
- Type
- Fiction