Is it them or is it me?
Susan Perkis Haven
Is it them or is it me?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Susan Perkis Haven
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Molly’s first weeks in high school turn out to be way more than just new classes and teachers — she’s navigating friendships that feel like puzzles and a family crisis that changes everything. What if the hardest part isn’t fitting in at school, but figuring out who you really are? This is a story about courage when life gets complicated.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Molly as she starts high school and faces both social challenges and a significant family crisis. Suitable for ages 9-12, it thoughtfully explores themes of friendship, family struggles, and self-discovery, providing a relatable perspective for young readers experiencing change. The book handles emotional topics with sensitivity and is appropriate for middle-grade audiences.
Why we rated Is it them or is it me? 9ME
Is it them or is it me? is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 174 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Is it them or is it me? works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Is it them or is it me? as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Is it them or is it me? explores friendship, family, coming of age, and school — 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, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 0399219161
- Pages
- 174
- Publisher
- Putnam Publishing Group
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction