People like us
Dana Mele
People like us
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dana Mele
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
What secrets hide behind the perfect smiles at Bates Academy? Kay Donovan thought she left her past behind, but when a mysterious scavenger hunt appears after a girl's body is found, everything changes. Who can be trusted when the truth is more dangerous than you imagined?
Themes
Quick Assessment
People Like Us by Dana Mele is a suspenseful middle-grade novel set in a private school where friendship, secrets, and danger collide. The story involves a murder investigation and a coded scavenger hunt that unravels dark truths, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12 who enjoy mystery and suspense. Parents should note the themes of murder and intrigue, which are handled with sophistication but may require guidance depending on the child's sensitivity.
Why we rated People like us 12ME
People like us is written at a Level 7 reading level across 378 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, People like us works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate People like us 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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Murder, Suspense.
Thematically, People like us explores mystery, friendship, secrets, investigation, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, friendship, secrets.
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.
Content Flags
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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781524741709
- Pages
- 378
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction