Life

Mal Peet

Cover of Life

Life

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

An Exploded Diagram

by Mal Peet

Reading Level 8 12ME Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Clem Ackroyd’s life is about to explode—in more ways than one. Growing up in a tiny Norfolk house with his big family feels impossible, but then he meets Frankie, and everything changes. First love and danger collide in a story that shows why some moments stick forever.

Themes

Quick Assessment

Set during the tense Cold War era, this coming-of-age novel explores themes of family dynamics, first love, and historical events leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Suitable for teens aged 13 and up, it thoughtfully portrays emotional growth amidst external threats, with some references to explosions and conflict. The story uses flashbacks to deepen understanding of character backgrounds and historical context.

For Parents

Content Intensity

12ME — Moderate — Emotional
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Light
Thematic
Moderate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

5/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
7
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
10
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

412 pages
ISBN
9781844281008
Pages
412
Publisher
Walker
Published
2011
Type
Fiction

Genres

Cold War

Subjects

Young Adult FictionSocial Life and CustomsFamily LifeLoveComing of AgeCold WarSocial ClassesCuban Missile Crisis, 1962Manners and CustomsWarFamiliesBildungsromansWar StoriesGreat Britain

Places

Great BritainEnglandNorfolk (England)Norfolk