Last Kiss
Jon Ripslinger
Last Kiss
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jon Ripslinger
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
When Billy, a boy from a farm, faces heartbreak after Lisa, a girl from a wealthy family, ends their secret relationship, his world is shattered further when Lisa is found dead. With suspicion falling on him, Billy sets out to uncover the truth behind her mysterious death and clear his name. His journey reveals secrets and challenges that test his courage and determination.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include emotional: loss & grief, emotional: fear & anxiety, physical/safety: mild peril. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Last Kiss 9ME
Last Kiss is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 268 pages (approximately 54,134 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Last Kiss works for readers up to grade 6.1.
Read aloud, Last Kiss runs about 6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Last Kiss 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Loss & Grief, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety, Physical/Safety: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Last Kiss explores coming of age, mystery, family, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, mystery, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The last to let go
Amber Smith
The last to let go
Amber Smith
Last Best Kiss
Claire LaZebnik
Last Best Kiss
Claire LaZebnik
One last kiss
Laurie John
One last kiss
Laurie John
The Last Chance
Rona Jaffe
The Last Chance
Rona Jaffe
The Last Word
Samantha Hastings
The Last Word
Samantha Hastings
Kill You Last
Unknown
Kill You Last
Unknown
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780738710723
- Pages
- 268
- Publisher
- Flux
- Published
- October 1, 2007
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 54,134
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 1m
- Text Density
- Standard