Separations
Robert Lehrman
Separations
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robert Lehrman
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.
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About This Book
The crisp thwack of tennis balls echoes through the courts, mixing with the distant hum of New York City streets. Kim’s world shifts as she leaves the familiar smells of her suburban home and steps into a bustling city filled with new sounds and challenges. Amid the noise and change, she faces the bittersweet weight of family breaking apart and the hope of finding her own way.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the emotional journey of a young girl navigating her parents' divorce and the resulting changes in her life, including moving from a suburban home to New York City and adjusting to a new environment. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of family change and personal growth, with tennis as a backdrop. Parents should note the book deals with divorce and the emotional challenges that come with it, presented in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Separations 11ME
Separations is written at a Level 6 reading level across 212 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Separations works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Separations as 11ME ("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, Separations explores divorce, family, sports, coming of age, and new york — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about divorce, family, sports.
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
11ME — 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0140323228
- Pages
- 212
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction