Not now, not ever
Lily Anderson
Not now, not ever
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Lily Anderson
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What would you do if your summer plans were all about what you definitely won’t do? Elliot Gabaroche has three things she’s sure of: no staying home for endless theater shows, no mock trial camp, and absolutely no Air Force program. But when unexpected choices start closing in, will Elliot stick to her plan or discover something new about herself?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Elliot, a young girl determined to avoid spending her summer at various camps and programs she dislikes. The story explores themes of personal choice, family dynamics, and self-discovery suitable for readers aged 9-12. It contains mild conflict centered around typical pre-teen challenges without intense content.
Why we rated Not now, not ever 12LE
Not now, not ever is written at a Level 7 reading level across 306 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Not now, not ever works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Not now, not ever as 12LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Not now, not ever explores camps, teenage girls, impostors and imposture, competition (psychology), and friendship — 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 camps, teenage girls, impostors and imposture.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250142108
- Pages
- 306
- Publisher
- Wednesday Books
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction