Suicide
Roman Espejo
Suicide
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Opposing Viewpoints
by Roman Espejo
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, but understanding why it happens can save lives. This bold collection dives into tough questions like when, if ever, suicide might be acceptable, and how we can prevent it. Knowing the answers could be the difference between despair and hope.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This anthology addresses the serious topic of teen suicide, exploring its causes, ethical questions, and prevention strategies through a series of essays and debates. Aimed at ages 13-18, it provides thoughtful, age-appropriate discussions to help young readers understand this complex issue. Parents should be aware that the book tackles sensitive content related to mental health and suicide but does so with care and educational intent.
Why we rated Suicide 11IE
Suicide is written at a Level 6 reading level across 207 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Suicide works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Suicide 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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Suicidal Behavior, Mental Health.
Thematically, Suicide explores teenagers, social problems, psychology, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about teenagers, social problems, psychology.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780737712414
- Pages
- 207
- Publisher
- Greenhaven Press, Incorporated
- Published
- March 19, 2003
- Type
- Fiction