Over you
Amy Lynn Reed
Over you
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Amy Lynn Reed
The text is written at a 6th 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 rain-soaked earth fills the air as Max and Sadie race through fields under a heavy sky. Their footsteps pound the ground, carrying them away from everything they know, but the weight of their pasts clings like shadows in the dusk. Sometimes running doesn't mean escaping—sometimes it means facing the hardest truths yet.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the complex relationship between two sisters who are trying to escape their family problems by running away to Nebraska. Themes include sibling rivalry, mother-daughter dynamics, and the challenges of communal living, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. The story handles emotional struggles realistically but sensitively, without graphic content.
Why we rated Over you 11ME
Over you is written at a Level 6 reading level across 299 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Over you works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Over you as 11ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Over you explores sibling rivalry, family, mother-daughter relationship, communal living, and coming of age — 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 sibling rivalry, family, mother-daughter relationship.
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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442456969
- Pages
- 299
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction