Kiss of broken glass
Madeleine Kuderick
Kiss of broken glass
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Madeleine Kuderick
The text is written at a 6th 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
Kenna's world flips after just one moment—a single kiss of broken glass changes everything. She's taken to a place where secrets run deep and healing feels far away. But sometimes, the toughest battles hide behind the quietest faces.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel in verse explores the emotional struggles of a fifteen-year-old girl dealing with self-harm and her time in a psychiatric facility. It candidly addresses mental health challenges and recovery, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 with parental guidance recommended. The story offers a realistic and sensitive portrayal of addiction and the importance of support systems.
Why we rated Kiss of broken glass 11IE
Kiss of broken glass is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kiss of broken glass works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Kiss of broken glass as 11IE ("Intense — 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Self-harm.
Thematically, Kiss of broken glass explores teenagers, self-mutilation, mental health, friendship, and coming of age — 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 teenagers, self-mutilation, mental health.
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
11IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062306562
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction