Bury the Dead
Jeff Rousselow
Bury the Dead
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeff Rousselow
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Jake is about to do the unthinkable: quit basketball to become a wrestling champion — all to honor his best friend Pete, who died too soon. As he steps onto the mat, Jake faces a challenge bigger than a game; it’s about healing and finding his way back to life. What will it take to bury the past and win the future?
Quick Assessment
Set in a small Wisconsin town, this middle-grade novel explores themes of grief, friendship, and resilience as Jake copes with the death of his best friend Pete. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it sensitively portrays a young boy’s journey through depression and his attempt to reclaim joy through sports and community. Parents should note the depiction of emotional struggle and loss, which is handled with care.
Why we rated Bury the Dead 11ME
Bury the Dead is written at a Level 6 reading level across 244 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Bury the Dead works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Bury the Dead as 11ME ("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: Loss & Grief, Depression, Emotional Struggle.
Thematically, Bury the Dead explores friendship, coming of age, sports, and family — 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 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, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Grave shadows
Jerry B. Jenkins
Grave shadows
Jerry B. Jenkins
All that remains
Bruce Brooks
All that remains
Bruce Brooks
Jake Maddox Sports Stories
Jane bingham
Jake Maddox Sports Stories
Jane bingham
Deadville
Ronald Koertge
Deadville
Ronald Koertge
Gut Check
Eric Kester
Gut Check
Eric Kester
Dead Wednesday
Jerry Spinelli
Dead Wednesday
Jerry Spinelli
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780557071296
- Pages
- 244
- Publisher
- Lulu Press, Inc.
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction