Screaming Quietly
Evan Jacobs
Screaming Quietly
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Evan Jacobs
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Ian Taylor is the star football player and the coolest kid on campus, but he hides a secret that could change everything. His younger brother Davey is autistic, and Ian is desperate to keep him hidden from everyone. When Davey's meltdowns become impossible to ignore, Ian must decide what's more important: his reputation or his family.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges of adolescence, family dynamics, and autism through the eyes of Ian, a varsity football player struggling to accept his younger autistic brother. Suitable for ages 9-12, it tackles complex themes like bullying, peer pressure, and self-esteem with sensitivity. Parents should note the book addresses tough topics such as foster care and teen pregnancy in a low-level teen fiction format, appropriate for mature middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Screaming Quietly 11IE
Screaming Quietly is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Screaming Quietly works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Screaming Quietly as 11IE ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Bullying, Peer Pressure, Family Change.
Thematically, Screaming Quietly explores family, friendship, adolescence, sports, and disability representation — 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 9-12 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 family, friendship, adolescence.
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
11IE — 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
2/10A 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
Screaming at the ump
Audrey Vernick
Screaming at the ump
Audrey Vernick
A quiet kind of thunder
Sara Barnard
A quiet kind of thunder
Sara Barnard
Screaming Eagles
Mark B. Dengel
Screaming Eagles
Mark B. Dengel
Scream Quietly or the Neighbors Will Hear
Erin Pizzey
Scream Quietly or the Neighbors Will Hear
Erin Pizzey
Breaking the silence
Larry O'Loughlin
Breaking the silence
Larry O'Loughlin
Shut out
Kody Keplinger
Shut out
Kody Keplinger
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781622500031
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Saddleback Educational Publishing
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction