Going to Press
D. M. Paige
Going to Press
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by D. M. Paige
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
Lisa Harrison is the youngest intern ever at New York's coolest music magazine — but being the star reporter’s shadow isn’t all glitz and glam. When chasing the perfect story starts to mess with her self-respect, she faces a tough choice that could change everything. How far would you go for your big break?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Lisa Harrison, a young girl interning at a popular music magazine who learns important lessons about integrity and self-respect while navigating the challenges of journalism. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of ambition and ethics without intense content, making it a thoughtful read for children developing self-esteem and decision-making skills.
Why we rated Going to Press 9LE
Going to Press is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Going to Press works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Going to Press 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, Going to Press explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A 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
- 9781467760164
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Darby Creek ™
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction