List
Siobhan Vivian
List
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Siobhan Vivian
The text is written at a 7th 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
The sharp rustle of paper echoes through the crowded hallways as the list appears on every locker. Everyone stops to stare — two girls from each grade chosen, one called the prettiest, the other the ugliest. How will being named change their world when all eyes are watching?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of self-esteem, friendship, and the impact of labels within a school setting. It depicts the emotional challenges children face when singled out by peers, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should be aware it sensitively handles issues of self-perception and social dynamics.
Why we rated List 12ME
List is written at a Level 7 reading level across 384 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, List works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate List as 12ME ("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, List explores self-esteem, friendship, schools, 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 self-esteem, friendship, schools.
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
12ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781848454132
- Pages
- 384
- Publisher
- Mira
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction