Small medium at large
Joanne Levy
Small medium at large
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Joanne Levy
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Lilah isn’t just any 12-year-old—she’s a lightning-powered medium who can chat with ghosts! When her grandmother from beyond the grave asks her to play matchmaker for her dad, Lilah’s life gets way more complicated than just middle school crushes. Can she handle the spirits and her own heart all at once?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows 12-year-old Lilah, who gains the ability to communicate with the dead after a lightning strike. The story explores themes of family, divorce, and young romance with a lighthearted tone, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the supernatural elements and the depiction of familial changes, but the content remains age-appropriate and engaging.
Why we rated Small medium at large 11LE
Small medium at large is written at a Level 6 reading level across 207 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Small medium at large works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Small medium at large as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Small medium at large explores family, coming of age, humor, supernatural, and interpersonal relations — 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 family, coming of age, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 9781599908366
- Pages
- 207
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing USA
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction