See ya, Simon

Name: See ya, Simon
Author: David Hill
ISBN: 0525452478

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by David Hill

Reading Level 4-5 ME · Moderate · Emotional 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. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.

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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 ME (Moderate)

See ya, Simon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage See ya, Simon on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate See ya, Simon as ME (Moderate, mostly 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.
✓ 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.

For Parents

Content Intensity

ME · Moderate · Emotional

Emotional

Intense ←

Physical

Mild

Social

Mild

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

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