What reading level is See ya, Simon?

See ya, Simon by Hill, David is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is See ya, Simon appropriate for?

See ya, Simon is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9IE (Intense — Emotional).

What genre is See ya, Simon?

See ya, Simon is fiction — Death.

Does See ya, Simon have any content warnings?

See ya, Simon has a HootRating of 9IE (Intense — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is See ya, Simon?

See ya, Simon by Hill, David is 153 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

See ya, Simon

Hill, David

See ya, Simon

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Hill, David

Reading Level 4-5 9IE Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 4th 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

Simon isn’t just any friend—he’s the bravest kid facing muscular dystrophy, and his journey changes everything around him. When Simon’s health suddenly worsens, Nathan must find strength he never knew he had. This story shows why friendship matters more than ever when life gets tough.

Themes

Muscular DystrophyPeople with DisabilitiesFriendshipDeath

Quick Assessment

See ya, Simon tells the heartfelt story of Nathan and his best friend Simon, who is living with muscular dystrophy. The book sensitively explores themes of friendship, illness, and coping with the rapid decline of a loved one's health, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should be aware that it addresses death in a gentle but realistic way.

Why we rated See ya, Simon 9IE

See ya, Simon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, See ya, Simon works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate See ya, Simon as 9IE ("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 — 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, See ya, Simon explores muscular dystrophy, people with disabilities, friendship, and death — 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 muscular dystrophy, people with disabilities, friendship.

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.