Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL
Siobhan Vivian
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Siobhan Vivian
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.
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About This Book
The buzz of the crowded hallway fills the air, lockers slamming and laughter echoing all around. Natalie, the confident student body president, usually knows exactly what to do — until a secret crush and a best friend's silence leave her heart racing and her world spinning. What happens when the girl who has it all together feels like she’s falling apart inside?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Natalie, a high school senior and student body president, as she navigates the challenges of attraction and friendship. It thoughtfully explores themes of adolescence, social dynamics, and emotional growth, appropriate for readers aged 9-12. Parents should note the story includes typical middle school social conflicts and emotional situations but no intense content.
Why we rated NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL 9LE
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 710L across 322 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL 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, NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL explores friendship, coming of age, school & education, adolescence & coming of age, and social themes — 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, school & education.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545169158
- Pages
- 322
- Publisher
- PUSH
- Published
- SEPTEMBER 1 2010
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 710L