Friend Like You
Roger Pare
Friend Like You
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Roger Pare
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what makes a true friend? Imagine finding someone who understands your quirks and stands by your side no matter what. But what happens when friendship is tested in ways you never expected?
Quick Assessment
Friend Like You is a middle-grade fiction book suitable for children ages 9 to 12, focusing on themes of friendship and understanding. The story explores the challenges and joys of forming close bonds, encouraging empathy and kindness. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for young readers developing social and emotional skills.
Why we rated Friend Like You 10C
Friend Like You is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Friend Like You works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Friend Like You as 10C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Friend Like You explores friendship, coming of age, and family — 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, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
- ISBN
- 9780613776592
- Publisher
- Turtleback
- Published
- October 1988
- Type
- Fiction