My best everything
Sarah Wones Tomp
My best everything
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Wones Tomp
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 scent of burning sugar fills the humid summer air as Lulu and her friends sneak around the woods, trying to make their secret moonshine. Every step feels heavy with risk and hope, as Lulu races against time to save her future. But when friendships and feelings get tangled, will she find her way out before everything falls apart?
Quick Assessment
My Best Everything is a middle-grade novel set in a small Appalachian town, exploring themes of family struggles, first love, and the challenges of growing up. The story follows Lulu, a high school graduate who turns to making illegal moonshine to fund her college dreams after her father's mistake costs her tuition money. Suitable for ages 9-12, this book involves mild references to illegal activities and emotional challenges related to family and identity.
Why we rated My best everything 12ME
My best everything is written at a Level 7 reading level across 394 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My best everything works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate My best everything 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, My best everything explores family, friendship, coming of age, adventure, and romance — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, coming of age.
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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780316324786
- Pages
- 394
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction