Some boys
Patty Blount
Some boys
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Patty Blount
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 intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Grace stands up to the town’s golden boy, even when everyone else turns away. But can she trust Ian, the classmate with a big heart and hidden secrets? Their story shows why courage and kindness matter more than fitting in.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores difficult themes such as sexual assault accusations, social exclusion, and family dynamics, including father-daughter relationships and remarriage. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles sensitive topics with care but may prompt important conversations about trust, courage, and empathy. Parents should be aware of the mature subject matter related to dating and social challenges in a school setting.
Why we rated Some boys 12IE
Some boys is written at a Level 7 reading level across 339 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Some boys works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Some boys as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Sexual Assault, Social Exclusion.
Thematically, Some boys explores fathers and daughters, dating, high schools, family, and friendship — 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 fathers and daughters, dating, high schools.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781402298561
- Pages
- 339
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Fire
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction