It's not like it's a secret
Misa Sugiura
It's not like it's a secret
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Misa Sugiura
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Sana has a secret that even she finds hard to say out loud—a crush on her best friend. As she starts a new life in California, everything feels upside down: new friends, family troubles, and feelings she never expected. Can she find the courage to be honest when the truth changes everything?
Quick Assessment
This coming-of-age novel explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and young love as a Japanese American teen navigates secrets and self-discovery after moving to California. Suitable for older middle grade and young adult readers, it thoughtfully addresses complex emotions and family challenges, including parental infidelity and the process of coming out. The story offers valuable representation of LGBTQ+ and multicultural experiences with a sensitive and hopeful tone.
Why we rated It's not like it's a secret 7ME
It's not like it's a secret is written at a Level 2 reading level across 10 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, It's not like it's a secret works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate It's not like it's a secret as 7ME ("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, social complexity — 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, It's not like it's a secret explores lgbtq+ representation, multicultural, family, coming of age, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 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 lgbtq+ representation, multicultural, family.
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
7ME — 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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781538417751
- Pages
- 10
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction