Letting go of Bobby James, or, How I found myself of steam

Valerie Hobbs

Cover of Letting go of Bobby James, or, How I found myself of steam

Letting go of Bobby James, or, How I found myself of steam

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Or How I Found My Self of Steam

by Valerie Hobbs

Reading Level 4-5 Intense (Lvl 4) Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

After escaping an abusive marriage with only twenty dollars, sixteen-year-old Jody starts over in a small Florida town, working long hours and finding shelter where she can. As she befriends Effaline, another girl facing her own struggles, Jody discovers that helping someone else might be the key to reclaiming her own strength and hope. This touching story explores the courage it takes to rebuild and the power of unexpected friendships.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include wife abuse, emotional: fear & anxiety, emotional: identity & self-discovery. Written for readers ages 13+.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 4 — Intense
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Heavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.

Content Flags

Wife Abuse Emotional: Fear & Anxiety Emotional: Identity & Self-Discovery Emotional: Loss & Grief
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
8
Narrative Pace
5
Theme Richness
10
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
8

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Details

Book Length

135 pages
31,617 words
3h 31m read-aloud
ISBN
0374343845
Pages
135
Publisher
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Published
2004
Type
Fiction
Word Count
31,617
Read-Aloud
~3h 31m
Text Density
Standard

Genres

Subjects

Coming of AgeSelf-esteemWife AbuseFloridaViolence

Places

Florida