Since You Went Away
Teresa Tally
Since You Went Away
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Teresa Tally
The text is written at a 5th 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
Some goodbyes feel impossible to say, but what if love could stay even after someone leaves? This story shows how memories can light up the darkest moments, turning sadness into a special kind of hope.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Since You Went Away is a gentle and poetic middle-grade book that helps children ages 9-12 understand and express the complex emotions surrounding loss and absence. It sensitively handles themes of grief, love, and memory, offering comfort without overwhelming young readers. Parents should know it is appropriate for children experiencing or curious about loss and supports emotional growth.
Why we rated Since You Went Away 10ME
Since You Went Away is written at a Level 5 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Since You Went Away works for readers up to grade 7.0.
We rate Since You Went Away as 10ME ("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, Since You Went Away explores family, loss & grief, and emotional growth — 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 family, loss & grief, emotional growth.
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
10ME — 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
- ISBN
- 9781958487952
- Publisher
- Page Turner Books, Inc.
- Published
- 2025
- Type
- Fiction