Living it up to live it down
Ronica Stromberg
Living it up to live it down
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ronica Stromberg
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What happens when you try to live your faith in a place where no one else shares it? Imagine starting middle school and hoping to find a friend who understands your beliefs, only to discover that things might not be as simple as they seem. Can friendship and faith really fit together here?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows a Christian girl navigating her faith in a non-believing family while attending a new middle school. It explores themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of practicing Christian life among peers. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently addresses the struggles of fitting in without any intense or problematic content.
Why we rated Living it up to live it down 9LE
Living it up to live it down is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 142 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Living it up to live it down works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Living it up to live it down as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Living it up to live it down explores friendship, coming of age, family, christian life, and middle school — 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 friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Living the Faith (Faith Matters for Young Adults)
Abingdon Press
Living the Faith (Faith Matters for Young Adults)
Abingdon Press
Living in the World (Life Education)
Alexandra Parsons
Living in the World (Life Education)
Alexandra Parsons
Live the Adventure
Willow Creek Association
Live the Adventure
Willow Creek Association
My Life as a Christian (Faith 4 Life: Junior High Bible Study)
Group Publishing
My Life as a Christian (Faith 4 Life: Junior High Bible Study)
Group Publishing
Living in a Lying Life
Denise K. Jordan
Living in a Lying Life
Denise K. Jordan
Growing Up In Christ
Kristi Walter
Growing Up In Christ
Kristi Walter
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780880927529
- Pages
- 142
- Publisher
- Royal Fireworks Press
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction