Project Semicolon
Amy Bleuel
Project Semicolon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Your Story Isn't Over
by Amy Bleuel
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
Here’s a secret: a tiny punctuation mark, the semicolon, has become a powerful symbol of hope for people fighting tough battles inside their minds. Hundreds share their stories of pain and strength, showing that even when things seem dark, there’s always a chance for a new beginning—but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This collection features real stories and photos from individuals who have faced mental illness and suicidal thoughts, tied together by the symbol of the semicolon representing hope and survival. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers honest insights into mental health challenges while promoting resilience and community support. Parents should note the sensitive topics of suicide and mental illness are handled with care but may require guidance for younger or more sensitive readers.
Why we rated Project Semicolon 12IE
Project Semicolon is written at a Level 7 reading level across 332 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Project Semicolon works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Project Semicolon as 12IE ("Intense — 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: Suicide, Mental Illness.
Thematically, Project Semicolon explores mental health, self-help groups, resilience, community support, 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 mental health, self-help groups, resilience.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
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
12IE — Intense — 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
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
- 9780062466525
- Pages
- 332
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Nonfiction