So close to you
Rachel Carter
So close to you
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rachel Carter
The text is written at a 7th 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
Have you ever wondered what secrets a mysterious old military base might hide? Lydia Bentley doesn’t believe in scary government conspiracies—until she’s suddenly transported back to 1944, right before her great-grandfather vanished. Can she uncover the truth without getting caught in danger herself?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade science fiction novel follows Lydia Bentley as she time-travels to 1944 while investigating the mysterious Montauk Project linked to her family's past. The story explores themes of family history, government secrets, and trust, with some suspense and mild peril appropriate for ages 9-12. It offers an engaging mix of historical and speculative fiction with no intense content.
Why we rated So close to you 12LE
So close to you is written at a Level 7 reading level across 313 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, So close to you works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate So close to you as 12LE ("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, So close to you explores science & nature, historical, adventure, family, and mystery — 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 science & nature, historical, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062081063
- Pages
- 313
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction