Crush control
Jennifer Jabaley
Crush control
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jennifer Jabaley
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What happens when a childhood promise turns into something unexpected? Willow Grey hypnotized her best friend Max to guarantee their friendship forever, but now, as teenagers, her feelings have started to change. Can a bond so carefully controlled handle the surprises of growing up?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores themes of friendship, hypnotism, and the complexities of adolescent feelings as Willow navigates her evolving relationship with her best friend. Suitable for readers aged 13 to 18, it thoughtfully addresses the challenges of growing up and changing social dynamics without explicit content.
Why we rated Crush control 12LE
Crush control is written at a Level 7 reading level across 318 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crush control works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Crush control 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, Crush control explores friendship, coming of age, romance, social customs, and hypnotism — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, romance.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Crushed
Sara Shepard
Crushed
Sara Shepard
Crush
Erin Conley
Crush
Erin Conley
Crush (Harper Trophy Books)
Ellen Conford
Crush (Harper Trophy Books)
Ellen Conford
Strawberry crush
Jean Ure
Strawberry crush
Jean Ure
Book crush
Nancy Pearl
Book crush
Nancy Pearl
Crush-tastic!
Beth Beechwood
Crush-tastic!
Beth Beechwood
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781595144249
- Pages
- 318
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction