Like Mother, Like Me
Sheila Schwartz
Like Mother, Like Me
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sheila Schwartz
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of rain mixes with the quiet hum of a restless house. Fifteen-year-old Jen senses everything shifting as her father disappears with someone unexpected and her mother chases after a brand-new dream. In the middle of it all, Jen wonders where she truly belongs.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the emotional upheaval experienced by a fifteen-year-old girl when her father leaves with a student and her mother begins a desperate search for love. It thoughtfully addresses themes of family change and identity, suitable for teens aged 13 to 18. Parents should be aware of mature themes around parental separation and emotional adjustment.
Why we rated Like Mother, Like Me 9ME
Like Mother, Like Me is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 115 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Like Mother, Like Me works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Like Mother, Like Me 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Like Mother, Like Me explores family, coming of age, parent and child, and emotional growth — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, coming of age, parent and child.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780553242508
- Pages
- 115
- Publisher
- Bantam Books
- Published
- August 1984
- Type
- Fiction