Good and gone
Megan Frazer Blakemore
Good and gone
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Megan Frazer Blakemore
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Lexi and her brother Charlie jump into the car, racing down the highway on a wild road trip to find a missing musician. But as the miles pass, Lexi’s memories start to unravel a secret she’s been hiding—something that could change everything. Just when she thinks she’s ready to face the truth, a new mystery pulls her deeper into the unknown.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Good and Gone is a middle-grade novel that explores difficult themes such as emotional trauma and recovery through the story of Lexi, a young girl coping with the aftermath of a harmful relationship. As she joins her brother on a road trip, the story sensitively addresses mental health, family dynamics, and personal healing. Recommended for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of the book’s mature topics, including sexual assault and emotional distress.
Why we rated Good and gone 11IE
Good and gone is written at a Level 6 reading level across 289 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Good and gone works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Good and gone as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mental Depression, Rape.
Thematically, Good and gone explores brothers and sisters, emotional problems, mental depression, automobile travel, and coming of age — 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 brothers and sisters, emotional problems, mental depression.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780062348425
- Pages
- 289
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction