Sticks & stones

Name: Sticks & stones
Author: Abby Cooper
ISBN: 9780374302870

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Abby Cooper

Reading Level 4-5 ME · Moderate · Emotional Ages 9-12 Matched

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. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

The soft rustle of paper and quiet whispers fill the school hallways, but Elyse can hear something more—words that appear on her skin like invisible ink coming to life. Each phrase sticks, reminding her of who she is and what others see. Feeling the weight of these words, Elyse wonders how she can find her own voice and friendship amid the noise.

Themes

DiseasesMiddle schoolsSchoolsSelf-acceptanceFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows twelve-year-old Elyse, who has a rare genetic condition causing words spoken about her to appear on her skin. It explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the challenges of middle school, making it suitable for readers ages 9 to 12. Parents should note the presence of social and emotional topics related to bullying and chronic illness, handled with sensitivity.

Why we rated Sticks & stones ME (Moderate)

Sticks & stones is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 280 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Sticks & stones on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Sticks & stones as ME (Moderate, mostly 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.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Sticks & stones explores diseases, middle schools, schools, self-acceptance, and friendship — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about diseases, middle schools, schools.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.

For Parents

Content Intensity

ME · Moderate · Emotional

Emotional

Moderate ←

Physical

Mild

Social

Mild

Thematic

Mild

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: high

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?