Fix-It Friends
Nicole C. Kear
Fix-It Friends
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Wish You Were Here
by Nicole C. Kear
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered how to help a friend who feels really sad? When their pet passes away, the Fix-It Friends try to find the best way to support them. But can they fix a broken heart with just kindness and a little hope?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book sensitively explores the theme of grief through the story of friends coping with the loss of a pet. It includes helpful resources and a toolbox section designed to support conversations about loss with children aged 9-12. Parents should find this a gentle and constructive way to introduce discussions about coping and helpfulness.
Why we rated Fix-It Friends 9LE
Fix-It Friends is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fix-It Friends works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Fix-It Friends as 9LE ("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, Fix-It Friends explores grief, helpfulness, pets, brothers and sisters, and friendship — 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 grief, helpfulness, pets.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250115799
- Pages
- 160
- Publisher
- St. Martin's Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction