Some kind of normal
Juliana Stone
Some kind of normal
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Juliana Stone
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Trevor was the star of the band and the football field—until a car crash changed everything. Now, with no music, no games, and a mountain of finals to face, his world feels shattered. But when Everly, the pastor's perfect daughter with a secret of her own, becomes his tutor, their unlikely friendship might just be the key to finding a new kind of normal.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the challenges of sudden life changes through the eyes of two teens dealing with loss, family secrets, and the pressure to meet expectations. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles sensitive topics such as illness, family dysfunction, and personal identity with care and age-appropriate language. Parents should be aware it touches on themes including accident recovery, grief, and family tensions.
Why we rated Some kind of normal 12ME
Some kind of normal is written at a Level 7 reading level across 311 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Some kind of normal works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Some kind of normal as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Loss & Grief, Divorce & Family Change, Secrets, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Some kind of normal explores family, friendship, coming of age, love, and dysfunctional families — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
6/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781402291500
- Pages
- 311
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Fire
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction