Crushed

Crushed is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 690L across 340 pages (approximately 76,363 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Crushed works for readers up to grade 6.6.

Read aloud, Crushed runs about 8.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Crushed as 9ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Bullying, Secrets.

Thematically, Crushed explores friendship, high schools, secrets, and conduct of life — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.