Broken Promise
Eleanor Robins
Broken Promise
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Eleanor Robins
Choices (Saddleback Publishing)
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
Josh faces a difficult choice between honoring a promise to his dad and helping his friends get to a dance, all while navigating the challenges of growing up. As he balances friendship, trust, and responsibility, tough decisions lead to real consequences that test his character in unexpected ways. This story explores the complexities of moral choices and the impact they have on relationships during the teenage years.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 2-3 book with very intense content intensity. Note: content intensity (Very Intense) exceeds what the reading level might suggest. Content themes include animal dies, death by suicide, gun violence. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Broken Promise 7VP
Broken Promise is written at a Level 2-3 reading level (approximately 4,564 words). Strong independent readers around grade 3.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Broken Promise works for readers up to grade 4.7.
Read aloud, Broken Promise takes about 30 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Broken Promise as 7VP ("Vivid — Physical") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Animal Dies, Death by Suicide, Gun Violence, Blood/Gore, Sexual Content, Hospital Scene, Needles/Syringes, Antisemitism, Teeth Damage.
Thematically, Broken Promise explores friendship, family, coming of age, life decisions, and moral choices — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, coming of age.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 8 more books in the Choices (Saddleback Publishing) series.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7VP — Vivid — PhysicalGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Choices (Saddleback Publishing) Series
Dont Get Caught
Eleanor Robins
Dont Get Caught
Eleanor Robins
Friend Or Foe
Eleanor Robins
Friend Or Foe
Eleanor Robins
Pay Back
Eleanor Robins
Pay Back
Eleanor Robins
Double-Cross
Eleanor Robins
Double-Cross
Eleanor Robins
Easy Pass
Eleanor Robins
Easy Pass
Eleanor Robins
No Exceptions
Eleanor Robins
No Exceptions
Eleanor Robins
No Limits
Eleanor Robins
No Limits
Eleanor Robins
Trust me
Eleanor Robins
Trust me
Eleanor Robins
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781616515911
- Publisher
- Saddleback Educational Publishing, Inc.
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 4,564
- Read-Aloud
- ~30 min