Some friend!
Carol Carrick
Some friend!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carol Carrick
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Mike’s friend Rob isn’t just confident — he’s unstoppable. But when Rob pushes too far, Mike discovers that standing up for yourself is the bravest thing you can do. This moment changes everything about their friendship.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of friendship and self-assertion as Mike learns to stand up for himself against a more dominant friend. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses important social skills like self-respect and boundaries in an accessible way without intense content.
Why we rated Some friend! 9LE
Some friend! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Some friend! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Some friend! as 9LE ("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, Some friend! weaves together friendship and coming of age.
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 friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Some Friends Go & Some Friends Stay
Rachel P. Davis
Some Friends Go & Some Friends Stay
Rachel P. Davis
Someone I Know
Carol Adorjan
Someone I Know
Carol Adorjan
Friends and enemies
Michael Teitelbaum
Friends and enemies
Michael Teitelbaum
Friend Like You
Roger Pare
Friend Like You
Roger Pare
New friends, good friends?
Josh McDowell
New friends, good friends?
Josh McDowell
Friends
Carl Koch
Friends
Carl Koch
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780395289662
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 1979
- Type
- Fiction