Such Nice People
Sandra Scoppettone
Such Nice People
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sandra Scoppettone
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 clock ticks loudly as he tightens his grip on the cold metal. Every step echoes through the empty house, the plan clear in his mind—but what if everything suddenly goes wrong?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores dark and complex themes as it follows a seventeen-year-old boy who contemplates a drastic and violent plan against his family. It is suitable for mature readers within the 9-12 age range but includes intense emotional content and themes of familial conflict that may require parental guidance. Due to the nature of the plot, parents should consider their child's sensitivity to themes involving violence and psychological tension.
Why we rated Such Nice People 11IE
Such Nice People is written at a Level 6 reading level across 284 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Such Nice People works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Such Nice People 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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Family Conflict.
Thematically, Such Nice People explores family, psychological thriller, and coming of age — 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, psychological thriller, coming of age.
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.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0399123539
- Pages
- 284
- Publisher
- Putnam Publishing Group
- Published
- 1980-01-01
- Type
- Fiction