Somebody Told Me
Mia Siegert
Somebody Told Me
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Mia Siegert
The text is written at a 6th 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
The quiet whispers behind the confessional screen carry secrets heavy as shadows. Aleks, who feels both boy and girl, listens close, hoping to bring light to these hidden stories. But when a dark truth emerges, can Aleks find the courage to face it and heal their own heart?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores complex themes such as gender identity, spirituality, and trauma through the story of Aleks, a bigender teen who moves in with their uncle, a Catholic priest. Aleks discovers they can overhear confessions and decides to help anonymously, but they soon uncover troubling secrets that force them to confront past abuse. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book addresses sensitive topics thoughtfully, including sexual abuse, making it important for parents to be aware of its mature subject matter.
Why we rated Somebody Told Me 11IE
Somebody Told Me is written at a Level 6 reading level across 272 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Somebody Told Me works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Somebody Told Me as 11IE ("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 Abuse, Trauma.
Thematically, Somebody Told Me explores self-esteem, family, identity & self-discovery, and spirituality — 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 self-esteem, family, identity & self-discovery.
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
11IE — 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
- 9781541578197
- Pages
- 272
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Lab ®
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction