Frankie
Shivaun Plozza
Frankie
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Shivaun Plozza
The text is written at a 7th 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 scent of rain mixes with the hum of city streets as Frankie’s world shifts beneath his feet. His sister disappears, leaving behind whispers and unanswered questions that swirl like autumn leaves in a restless wind. Every step Frankie takes echoes with hope and the ache of missing someone so close.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Frankie is a middle-grade novel centered on a young boy grappling with the sudden disappearance of his sister. The story explores themes of family bonds, resilience, and the challenges of uncertainty. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it sensitively addresses emotional tension without graphic content.
Why we rated Frankie 12ME
Frankie is written at a Level 7 reading level across 340 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Frankie works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Frankie as 12ME ("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, Frankie explores family, missing children, brother-sister relationships, and resilience — 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 family, missing children, brother-sister relationships.
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
12ME — 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
- 9781250142993
- Pages
- 340
- Publisher
- Flatiron Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction