Friends of the heart =

Kate Banks

Cover of Friends of the heart =

Friends of the heart =

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Amici del cuore

by Kate Banks

Reading Level 4-5 Unrated Ages 9-12

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 gentle with no concerning themes.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

A friendship transcends distance and time Ollie is a great whistler, while Lucrezia can’t whistle at all. Ollie has traveled the world, but Lucrezia is afraid of the dark and hates goodbyes. Yet, despite their differences, Ollie and Lucrezia have been best friends forever. When Ollie is eight, he moves from Rome to Milan, and Lucrezia feels as though her world has ended. But their friendship blooms, against the backdrop of beloved family and beloved places, until their thirteenth summer together, when a change in plans alters Lucrezia’s life forever. Narrated by Lucrezia, this haunting novel exquisitely captures through vivid language and sense of place both the beauty and enduring nature of human relationships. Set in modern-day Italy, this is a book about journeys to places new and old, toward self-discovery, toward adulthood, and toward things bigger than ourselves.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

138 pages
ISBN
0374324557
Pages
138
Publisher
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Published
2005
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Best FriendsFriendshipFamily LifeInterpersonal RelationsDeathItalyFamilies

Places

Italy