Coming to
Alan Brody
Coming to
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alan Brody
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The scent of freshly cut grass mingles with the distant hum of a summer city. Two people, Sheila and Phil, navigate a world bursting with change and possibility, each searching for where they truly belong. Their journeys stir questions about who we are and where home really is.
Quick Assessment
Set against the backdrop of the late 1960s and early 1970s, this middle-grade novel follows Sheila and Phil Gaynor as they explore identity and belonging during a time of cultural change. Suitable for ages 9-12, it gently addresses themes of self-discovery and personal growth without intense content. Parents should note the historical setting may prompt discussions about societal changes and family dynamics.
Why we rated Coming to 12LE
Coming to is written at a Level 7 reading level across 375 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Coming to works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Coming to as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Coming to explores coming of age, family, and identity & self-discovery — 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 coming of age, family, identity & self-discovery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0399114793
- Pages
- 375
- Publisher
- Putnam Publishing Group
- Published
- 1975
- Type
- Fiction