Friends
Gary Davis
Friends
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Gary Davis
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
The quiet rustle of pages and soft whispers fill the cozy campus library as four friends gather, their hearts heavy yet hopeful. Together, they navigate the challenges of college life, leaning on each other and their faith to face every twist and turn. Through moments of joy and sorrow, their bond grows stronger, weaving a story of resilience and love.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the lives of four college friends who support each other through life's challenges, anchored by their shared faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story touches on themes of friendship, faith, and coping with loss in a gentle and accessible way. Parents should note the inclusion of themes related to death and religious belief, presented thoughtfully within a fictional context.
Why we rated Friends 9LE
Friends is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 145 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Friends works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate 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, Friends explores friendship, coming of age, faith & spirituality, loss & grief, and college life — 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, faith & spirituality.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 155503716X
- Pages
- 145
- Publisher
- Covenant Communications Incorporated
- Published
- 1994
- Type
- Fiction