Colors of goodbye
September Vaudrey
Colors of goodbye
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Memoir of Holding On, Letting Go, and Reclaiming Joy in the Wake of Loss
by September Vaudrey
The text is written at a 7th 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
The sharp scent of rain mixes with the quiet hum of hospital machines, filling the air with a heavy sadness. A mother’s world shifts in an instant, as colors of grief spread and swirl, covering everything she once knew. But even in the darkest moments, tiny sparks of hope begin to glow, whispering that love never truly fades.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Colors of Goodbye is a heartfelt memoir exploring a mother's journey through the devastating loss of her daughter in a car accident. Intended for mature middle-grade readers (ages 9-12), the book thoughtfully addresses themes of grief, family, and faith, particularly within a Christian context. Parents should be aware that it deals with death and emotional pain but offers a message of hope and spiritual resilience.
Why we rated Colors of goodbye 12VE
Colors of goodbye is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Colors of goodbye works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Colors of goodbye as 12VE ("Vivid — 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death.
Thematically, Colors of goodbye explores death, mother and child, religious themes, faith, and family — 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 death, mother and child, religious themes.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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 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
12VE — Vivid — 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
1/10A 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
- 9781496408174
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Tyndale Momentium
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Nonfiction