Pride
Ibi Aanu Zoboi
Pride
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ibi Aanu Zoboi
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The scent of sizzling street food fills the bustling Brooklyn air, mingling with the sounds of lively chatter and distant music. In a neighborhood where old meets new, Zuri stands strong, proud of her roots and ready to face the changes creeping into her home. But when she crosses paths with the mysterious and stubborn Darius, everything she believes about pride and family starts to shift.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice is set in a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood and explores themes of cultural identity, family, and social change. Suitable for teens aged 13 and up, it thoughtfully addresses complex issues such as race, class, and first love, making it a meaningful read for young adults navigating similar experiences. The story includes some mature themes related to social dynamics and personal growth but is handled with sensitivity.
Why we rated Pride 11ME
Pride is written at a Level 6 reading level across 289 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pride works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Pride 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, social complexity, 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, Pride explores multicultural, family, romance, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ 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 multicultural, family, romance.
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Culture Clash
L. Divine
Culture Clash
L. Divine
Proud
Isabel Thomas
Proud
Isabel Thomas
Proudest Color
Modir
Proudest Color
Modir
People of Pride
Chase Clemesha
People of Pride
Chase Clemesha
Proudest Blue
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Proudest Blue
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Pritty
Miller, Keith F., Jr.
Pritty
Miller, Keith F., Jr.
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062564047
- Pages
- 289
- Publisher
- Balzer + Bray
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction