Gimme a call
Sarah Mlynowski
Gimme a call
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Mlynowski
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Devi Banks has the coolest—and weirdest—cell phone ever! When she drops it in a fountain, she starts getting calls from her future self, who’s got big advice to share. But can Devi change her choices before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows 14-year-old Devi Banks as she receives mysterious phone calls from her 17-year-old future self, offering guidance to avoid common teenage pitfalls. The story explores themes of decision-making, growing up, and self-awareness with a lighthearted tone appropriate for ages 9-12. There is some mild discussion of relationships and typical middle school challenges, but nothing intense or inappropriate.
Why we rated Gimme a call 12LE
Gimme a call is written at a Level 7 reading level across 301 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Gimme a call works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Gimme a call as 12LE ("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, Gimme a call explores coming of age, family, friendship, science & nature, and time travel — 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 coming of age, family, friendship.
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
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Hello, Future Me
Kim Ventrella
Hello, Future Me
Kim Ventrella
Calling the shots
Elizabeth Karre
Calling the shots
Elizabeth Karre
Call It What You Want
Brigid Kemmerer
Call It What You Want
Brigid Kemmerer
Smart Call [1]
PJ Gray
![Cover of Smart Call [1]](https://covers.openlibrary.org/b/isbn/9781630784294-M.jpg)
Smart Call [1]
PJ Gray
Addie Bell's shortcut to growing up
Jessica Brody
Addie Bell's shortcut to growing up
Jessica Brody
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Mind-call
Wilanne Schneider Belden
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545843409
- Pages
- 301
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction