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Roomies

Sara Zarr

Cover of Roomies

Roomies

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Sara Zarr

Reading Level 6 Unrated Ages 9-12

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

The countdown to college has begun. When Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment at the beginning of summer, she shoots off an email to coordinate the basics: TV, microwave, mini-fridge. She can't wait to escape her New Jersey beach town, and her mom, and start life over in California. That first message comes as a surprise to Lauren in San Francisco; she had requested a single. But if Lauren's learned anything from being the oldest of six, it's that you can't always get what you want, especially when what you want is privacy. Soon the girls are e-mailing back and forth, sharing secrets even though they've never met. With childhood friendships and family relationships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives...and each other. With humor and heart, Sara Zarr, National Book Award finalist for Story of a Girl, and Tara Altebrando, acclaimed author of The Pursuit of Happiness, join forces for a novel about that time after high school when everything feels like it's ending just as it's beginning.

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6 book. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Roomies Level 0

Roomies is written at a Level 6 reading level across 279 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Roomies works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Roomies as Unrated because the content sits in the "Unrated" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the unrated intensity score.

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.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 0 — Unrated
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

This book has not yet been rated for content intensity.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Unrated" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Theme Richness
1
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
4

Details

Book Length

279 pages
ISBN
9780316217491
Pages
279
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published
2013
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

FriendshipRoommatesDatingFamily LifeSan FranciscoEmail