Her permanent record
Jimmy Gownley
Her permanent record
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jimmy Gownley
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
What if your aunt vanished just when a secret book about her past hit the shelves? Imagine hopping on a bus with your not-so-friendly frenemy and a surprising ally to chase down clues across town. Can Amelia uncover the truth before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade graphic novel follows eleven-year-old Amelia as she embarks on a journey to find her missing Aunt Tanner after a controversial tell-all book is published. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of family, friendship, and adventure with humor and relatable middle-grade challenges. Parents should note mild conflict and some emotional moments typical for this age group.
Why we rated Her permanent record 9LE
Her permanent record is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Her permanent record works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Her permanent record 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Her permanent record explores family, friendship, adventure, humor, and graphic novels — 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 family, friendship, adventure.
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.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416986157
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Atheneum
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction