More than we can tell
Brigid Kemmerer
More than we can tell
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Brigid Kemmerer
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Some secrets are stronger than fear—and when Rev gets a letter from the past, his hidden pain rushes back like a storm. Emma hides behind the game she created, but a scary online bully breaks through her shield. When these two meet, their silent struggles collide, and they realize some promises are harder to keep than they ever imagined.
Themes
Quick Assessment
More Than We Can Tell explores the complex emotional journeys of two teens dealing with trauma, family struggles, and online harassment. Suitable for ages 9-12, this middle-grade novel sensitively addresses themes such as child abuse, foster care, and the impact of dysfunctional families. Parents should be aware of the mature emotional content and themes of online safety and mental health.
Why we rated More than we can tell 12IE
More than we can tell is written at a Level 8 reading level across 410 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, More than we can tell works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate More than we can tell as 12IE ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abuse, Online Harassment, Family Dysfunction.
Thematically, More than we can tell explores foster care, secrets, friendship, mental health, and online safety — 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 foster care, secrets, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — 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
12IE — 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
- 9781408885079
- Pages
- 410
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction