Collide
Kimberly McCreight
Collide
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kimberly McCreight
The text is written at a 8th 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
What if you could hear people's thoughts? Wylie Lang can, and now she knows she's not alone—there are others like her, but they need help fast. With her dad missing and her mom out of reach, can Wylie and her brother find the truth before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
Collide is the thrilling conclusion to the Outliers trilogy, following Wylie Lang as she discovers others who share her mind-reading ability. The story explores themes of trust, family, and courage, with some tense moments and mild peril appropriate for middle-grade readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of juvenile detention and family separation, presented in a way suitable for this age group.
Why we rated Collide 12ME
Collide is written at a Level 8 reading level across 400 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Collide works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Collide as 12ME ("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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Collide explores friendship, family, adventure, mystery, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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 worlds we make
Megan Crewe
The worlds we make
Megan Crewe
Crashland
Sean Williams
Crashland
Sean Williams
Call It What You Want
Brigid Kemmerer
Call It What You Want
Brigid Kemmerer
Worlds collide
Chris Colfer
Worlds collide
Chris Colfer
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Live Through This
Mindi Scott
Live Through This
Mindi Scott
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780008115104
- Pages
- 400
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Children's Books
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction