Extraordinary
Miriam Spitzer Franklin
Extraordinary
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Miriam Spitzer Franklin
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp smell of fresh-cut hair still lingers as Pansy watches her best friend Anna wheel away, silent and changed. The laughter and fun they shared seem miles away, replaced by quiet moments and new challenges. Now, with a daring plan and a heart full of hope, Pansy is ready to become the friend Anna needs—if only she can find the courage to be extraordinary.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, disability, and self-discovery through the story of Pansy, whose best friend Anna becomes seriously ill and changes dramatically. As Pansy navigates her feelings of guilt and hope, she learns to support Anna in new ways, fostering empathy and resilience suitable for readers aged 9-12. The book handles sensitive topics with warmth and humor, encouraging conversations about illness, change, and the meaning of true friendship.
Why we rated Extraordinary 11ME
Extraordinary is written at a Level 6 reading level across 249 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Extraordinary works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Extraordinary as 11ME ("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, Extraordinary explores friendship, self-actualization, people with disabilities, and coming of age — 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, self-actualization, people with disabilities.
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
11ME — 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
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
- 9781632204028
- Pages
- 249
- Publisher
- Sky Pony
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction