Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Social Intercourse
Greg Howard
Social Intercourse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Greg Howard
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
What if your parents started dating the family of your worst enemy just as your whole town is gearing up for its first-ever Rainbow Prom? Imagine two boys from completely different worlds teaming up to stop the big romance, only to find their plans turning upside down. What happens when old grudges clash with new feelings in the heart of the Bible Belt?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of LGBTQ+ identity, family dynamics, and acceptance through the story of Beckett, an openly gay teen, and Jaxon, a popular athlete, whose parents begin dating. Set in a conservative Southern town, it candidly addresses challenges faced by queer youth and blending families, with humor and heart. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild themes of social tension and emotional conflict but is ultimately a hopeful story about understanding and friendship.
Why we rated Social Intercourse 12LE
Social Intercourse is written at a Level 7 reading level across 320 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Social Intercourse works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Social Intercourse 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Identity & Self-Discovery, Divorce & Family Change, Bullying, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Social Intercourse explores lgbtq+ representation, friendship, family, coming of age, and humor — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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.
- ✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about lgbtq+ representation, friendship, family.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
7/10Rich themes that spark meaningful family conversation. Great for book clubs and read-alouds.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481497831
- Pages
- 320
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction