Chez Charlotte and Emily
Jonathan Baumbach
Chez Charlotte and Emily
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jonathan Baumbach
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Francis swims far from shore, the waves pulling him into a hidden cove where two mysterious sisters, Charlotte and Emily, appear out of nowhere. Suddenly, his quiet life is left behind as strange and wild adventures begin—adventures that feel like a dream but are full of surprises. What will happen next in this tangled story where reality and imagination blur?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel follows Francis, a man whose life changes dramatically after a near-drowning experience leads him to meet two enigmatic women. The story weaves between his surreal and intense adventures and a couple, Joshua and Genevieve, who share Francis's tale as a way to connect. Suitable for mature middle-grade readers, the book contains themes of complex family dynamics, romance, and some violent and erotic content, which may require parental guidance.
Why we rated Chez Charlotte and Emily 11IE
Chez Charlotte and Emily is written at a Level 6 reading level across 220 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chez Charlotte and Emily works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Chez Charlotte and Emily as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Erotic Content, Complex Family Relationships.
Thematically, Chez Charlotte and Emily explores family, romance, adventure, fantasy world-building, and complex relationships — 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 family, romance, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — 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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781573668231
- Pages
- 220
- Publisher
- University of Alabama Press
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction