Don't say good-bye
Ellen Goudge
Don't say good-bye
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ellen Goudge
The text is written at a 4th 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
What happens when everything changes in the blink of an eye? Roseanne’s boyfriend, a star on the track team, faces a scary injury that might keep him from walking again. Can their friendship survive the storm of anger and sadness that follows?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the impact of a severe injury on a young athlete and his relationship with his girlfriend. It thoughtfully addresses themes of friendship, emotional struggles, and coping with unexpected challenges, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the story deals with feelings of anger and depression but in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Don't say good-bye 9ME
Don't say good-bye is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Don't say good-bye works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Don't say good-bye 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Don't say good-bye explores friendship, sports, family, and emotional growth — 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, sports, family.
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
9ME — 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
- 0440921082
- Pages
- 153
- Publisher
- Laurel Leaf
- Published
- 1985
- Type
- Fiction