High Heels and Lipstick
Jo Ramsey
High Heels and Lipstick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jo Ramsey
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
Chastaine stands in the crowded school hallway, whispers swirling around her like a storm. She's just told everyone the secret no one wanted to hear, but instead of support, she faces cold stares and harsh words. Suddenly, a message pops up on her phone that changes everything—what will she do next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the difficult and sensitive topic of date-rape and its aftermath, including the challenges of reporting, bullying, and mental health struggles. It portrays the protagonist's journey through trauma, loss of friendship, and self-discovery, including emerging feelings of attraction toward a trusted friend. Recommended for ages 11 and up due to mature themes and emotional content.
Why we rated High Heels and Lipstick 11IE
High Heels and Lipstick is written at a Level 6 reading level across 206 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, High Heels and Lipstick works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate High Heels and Lipstick 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: Sexual Assault, Bullying, Suicide Attempt.
Thematically, High Heels and Lipstick explores friendship, coming of age, family, bullying, and mental health — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781635330298
- Pages
- 206
- Publisher
- Harmony Ink Press
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction