Something very sorry
Arno Bohlmeijer
Something very sorry
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Arno Bohlmeijer
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
Rose faces the toughest challenge anyone her age could imagine — waking up in a hospital after a serious accident that changed her whole family. As she worries about her dad and little sister, she discovers a strength she never knew she had. What will it take for Rose to find hope again?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel sensitively explores the aftermath of a traffic accident through the eyes of nine-year-old Rose, who copes with her injuries while grappling with the loss of her mother and concern for her family. Suitable for ages 9-12, it handles themes of grief, trauma, and recovery with care, providing an emotional yet hopeful narrative. Parents should be aware that the story deals with death and hospital experiences, which may prompt meaningful discussions.
Why we rated Something very sorry 9IE
Something very sorry is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 175 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Something very sorry works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Something very sorry 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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death, Hospitalization, Serious Injury.
Thematically, Something very sorry explores family, loss & grief, hospitals, and traffic accidents — 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 family, loss & grief, hospitals.
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
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
- 0395746795
- Pages
- 175
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 1996
- Type
- Fiction