Eight Stories Up
DeQuincy A. Lezine
Eight Stories Up
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Adolescent Chooses Hope over Suicide
by DeQuincy A. Lezine
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What if the darkest moments in your mind felt like the only way out? Imagine battling tough feelings while searching for hope and help. Could one person's journey light the path to healing for others facing the same struggle?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Eight Stories Up is a candid and compassionate memoir combined with practical guidance for young readers struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Written by DeQuincy Lezine, who draws from his personal experience and psychiatric expertise, this book offers insight into adolescent mental health, treatment options, and coping strategies. Suitable for ages 9-12 and older, it addresses sensitive topics with care and encourages seeking help and support.
Why we rated Eight Stories Up 11IE
Eight Stories Up is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Eight Stories Up works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Eight Stories Up as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide.
Thematically, Eight Stories Up explores emotions & feelings, mental health, coming of age, family, and clinical psychology — 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 emotions & feelings, mental health, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780195325560
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press, USA
- Published
- February 7, 2008
- Type
- Fiction