Something to live for
Lissa Halls Johnson
Something to live for
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lissa Halls Johnson
The text is written at a 4th 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
What happens when your biggest dream feels out of reach? Kerry and Justine shared a bond through music and faith, but moving far away puts everything to the test. Will their friendship survive the toughest challenge yet?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of friendship, faith, and the serious issue of suicide, following Kerry and Justine as they face separation and disappointment. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses emotional struggles within a Christian life context, making it important for parents to be aware of its mature themes.
Why we rated Something to live for 9IE
Something to live for is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 190 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Something to live for works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Something to live for as 9IE ("Intense — 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: Suicide.
Thematically, Something to live for explores friendship, coming of age, christian life, music, and mental health — 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 friendship, coming of age, christian life.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9IE — Intense — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0800752287
- Pages
- 190
- Publisher
- Fleming H. Revell Company
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction