Street family
Adrienne Jones
Street family
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Adrienne Jones
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: beneath the noisy freeway in Los Angeles, a hidden family lives without a house. They’re not related by blood, but by the tough streets they call home—and that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the lives of a diverse group of homeless individuals and runaway teens who form a chosen family beneath a Los Angeles freeway. It gently addresses themes of homelessness and resilience, suitable for readers aged 9-12, with realistic portrayals that may prompt important conversations about empathy and social issues.
Why we rated Street family 11ME
Street family is written at a Level 6 reading level across 274 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Street family works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Street family as 11ME ("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, social complexity — 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, Street family explores homelessness, runaways, family, resilience, and urban life — 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 homelessness, runaways, family.
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
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
On Our Street
Jillian Roberts
On Our Street
Jillian Roberts
Street Angel
Jim Rugg
Street Angel
Jim Rugg
Street Pharm
Allison van Diepen
Street Pharm
Allison van Diepen
Street kid
George Tarlington
Street kid
George Tarlington
Home is a dirty street
Useni Eugene Perkins
Home is a dirty street
Useni Eugene Perkins
Sub City
Julia Wardhaugh
Sub City
Julia Wardhaugh
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0060230509
- Pages
- 274
- Publisher
- Harpercollins Childrens Books
- Published
- 1987
- Type
- Fiction