Crush
Svetlana Chmakova
Crush
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Svetlana Chmakova
The text is written at a 6th 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
Jorge stands tall, surrounded by his friends, but his heart races whenever she’s near. The boys are changing, and so is everything Jorge thought he knew about friendship and himself. Suddenly, a choice looms that could change everything—what will he do?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade graphic novel explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of growing up. It follows Jorge, a confident and kind-hearted boy navigating shifting group dynamics and first crushes. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it presents relatable social situations with light emotional moments and positive messages about identity and peer relationships.
Why we rated Crush 11LE
Crush is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crush works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Crush as 11LE ("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, Crush explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, and romance — 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, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9780316363242
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- JY
- Published
- Oct 13 2018
- Type
- Fiction