Counselors
Jessica Goodman
Counselors
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jessica Goodman
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
At Camp Alpine Lake, a summer meant for friendship and fun turns dark when a body is discovered in the water. Goldie, a local girl and camp counselor, must navigate secrets, lies, and suspicion among her closest friends to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. Trust is shattered as hidden dangers and betrayals come to light in this gripping thriller.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include death & grief, fear & anxiety, bullying. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Counselors 10IE
Counselors is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 353 pages (approximately 86,780 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Counselors works for readers up to grade 7.3.
Read aloud, Counselors runs about 9.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Counselors as 10IE ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death & Grief, Fear & Anxiety, Bullying.
Thematically, Counselors explores friendship, mystery, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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, mystery, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10IE — 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
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780593524220
- Pages
- 353
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 86,780
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 39m
- Text Density
- Standard