Make something of it
Stephanie Perry Moore
Make something of it
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stephanie Perry Moore
The text is written at a 4th 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 crisp rustle of fabric fills the bustling design studio where Shelby Sharp sketches her dreams into life. But beneath the bright lights and bold colors, shadows of secrets linger—whispers of pain that no outfit can hide. Shelby must decide if she will speak out or stay silent, knowing her choice could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Shelby Sharp, a determined African American teenage girl balancing high school pressures and her father's political campaign while aspiring to be a fashion designer. The story thoughtfully addresses the difficult topic of domestic violence in a way that is accessible for readers ages 9-12, encouraging empathy and awareness without graphic detail. Parents should note the presence of themes related to abuse and family challenges, handled sensitively within the narrative.
Why we rated Make something of it 9ME
Make something of it is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 145 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Make something of it works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Make something of it 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, social complexity — 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, Make something of it explores school stories, conduct of life, teenage girls, abused women, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about school stories, conduct of life, teenage girls.
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467737227
- Pages
- 145
- Publisher
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction