Saints of Augustine
P. E. Ryan
Saints of Augustine
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by P. E. Ryan
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
Charlie and Sam used to be inseparable, but now they barely speak. When everything around them starts to fall apart—family troubles, loss, and big changes—their broken friendship might be the only thing strong enough to save them. Can two former best friends find their way back before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Saints of Augustine explores the challenges of adolescence through the story of two former best friends navigating family upheaval, grief, and personal change. Suitable for middle-grade readers, it sensitively addresses themes of friendship, loss, and resilience without graphic content. Parents should note the emotional depth as the characters confront complex social and family dynamics.
Why we rated Saints of Augustine 12ME
Saints of Augustine is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Saints of Augustine works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Saints of Augustine 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 — 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, Saints of Augustine explores friendship, adolescence, family, and social themes — 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 friendship, adolescence, family.
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.
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
- 9780060858117
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- June 12, 2007
- Type
- Fiction