Crossing over
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Crossing over
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
The text is written at a 6th 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.
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About This Book
The chilly wind whispers through the ancient streets of Montreal, carrying faint echoes of voices only Kat can hear. As her powers grow stronger, new ghosts appear, each with their own secrets and fears. Amid the city's eerie shadows, Kat must face not just spirits but the challenges within herself.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows eighth-grader Kat as she navigates her growing abilities as a medium during a school trip to Montreal. The story blends elements of fantasy and horror with themes of self-discovery and emotional growth, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12 who enjoy supernatural adventures. Parents should note the presence of ghostly encounters and mild suspense typical of the genre.
Why we rated Crossing over 11ME
Crossing over is written at a Level 6 reading level across 252 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crossing over works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Crossing over as 11ME ("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, 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, Crossing over explores friendship, coming of age, fantasy world-building, and mystery — 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 friendship, coming of age, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
2/10A 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
- 9780316073691
- Pages
- 252
- Publisher
- Little Brown & Company
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction