Jealousy
Jessica Burkhart
Jealousy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jessica Burkhart
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Lauren is one of the bravest riders at Canterwood Crest, but this Thanksgiving break, she faces her biggest challenge yet—not on horseback, but in her heart. With an ex-boyfriend causing trouble, a dazzling new rival, and her own feelings of jealousy, Lauren must prove that true courage means more than just winning races. Can she keep her balance before everything falls apart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Lauren as she navigates complex friendships, budding romance, and competition at an elite equestrian school. Set against the backdrop of Thanksgiving break, the story explores themes of jealousy, self-confidence, and social dynamics appropriate for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild interpersonal conflicts and typical middle school relationship challenges.
Why we rated Jealousy 11LE
Jealousy is written at a Level 6 reading level across 203 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Jealousy works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Jealousy as 11LE ("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, Jealousy explores friendship, coming of age, family, sports, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442436589
- Pages
- 203
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction