List of Ten
Halli Gomez
List of Ten
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Halli Gomez
The text is written at a 6th 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
Troy’s life is ruled by the number ten, a rhythm he can’t escape because of his Tourette Syndrome and OCD. But when he decides to make a list of ten things to do before his tenth anniversary with these challenges, everything changes. Could facing his darkest thoughts also open the door to unexpected friendship and hope?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows Troy, a 16-year-old living with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, who creates a list of ten goals leading up to the tenth anniversary of his diagnosis, including plans to end his life. The story realistically explores mental health struggles, loneliness, and the power of connection, offering a hopeful perspective despite its intense themes. Suitable for mature teens, parents should be aware of sensitive topics such as suicide and mental illness depicted thoughtfully.
Why we rated List of Ten 11IE
List of Ten is written at a Level 6 reading level across 280 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, List of Ten works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate List of Ten as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicide, Mental Illness.
Thematically, List of Ten explores mental health, friendship, coming of age, romance, and social themes — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mental health, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781454940159
- Pages
- 280
- Publisher
- Union Square & Company
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction