How should a person be?
Sheila Heti
How should a person be?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel from Life
by Sheila Heti
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
What does it really mean to be yourself? Imagine facing a big life question after something important changes, like a friendship or family shift. When someone wild and unexpected steps into your world, everything feels upside down—but where will it all lead?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of identity and personal growth through the eyes of a young protagonist navigating complex relationships and creative challenges. Inspired by true-life incidents, the story gently touches on emotional struggles without graphic content, making it suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should note themes of family change and self-discovery are central, though presented in an accessible, age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated How should a person be? 12LE
How should a person be? is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, How should a person be? works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate How should a person be? 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, How should a person be? explores coming of age, family, friendship, identity & self-discovery, and women dramatists — 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
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
How to be yourself in a world that's different
Yuko Yoshida
How to be yourself in a world that's different
Yuko Yoshida
How to Be
Scholastic Staff
How to Be
Scholastic Staff
How to Be You
Jennifer Kosuda
How to Be You
Jennifer Kosuda
Sheila Levine is dead and living in New York.
Gail Parent
Sheila Levine is dead and living in New York.
Gail Parent
I Should Be Me
Julianne Desautels
I Should Be Me
Julianne Desautels
My Fabulous New Life
Sheila Greenwald
My Fabulous New Life
Sheila Greenwald
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780805094725
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction